John Curtis Sebastian

John Sebastian was born in Alameda, CA. The son of Ruth (Keaton) and John C. Sebastian, Sr., he grew up in Oakland. He participated in the work-study program at U.C. Berkeley while earning his BS in Physics and his MS in Mechanical Engineering. After more post-graduate study, he moved to San Francisco, and went to work at Standard Oil Company of California, now Chevron, U.S.A. He was fortunate to spend his entire career there.

On November 27, 1971, John married former Bostonian Pamela Watson. They had two healthy sons, Michael “Bear” and James, and spent summer vacations either visiting Pam’s family in the east, or cruising around the west in rented RVs. Later, Pam and John bought their own small motorhome, “the boat,” and “cruised” all over North America. They also traveled in Europe, Japan, and South Africa. Their lives were charmed but for one thing: Bear’s death after an accident in 1999.

John and Pam joined Old First Presbyterian Church in 1971. John soon became a ruling elder and served as church treasurer, either officially or de facto, for most of his 50-year membership. He also took an active interest in computers (a benefit to Chevron, Old First, and many friends); trains (Golden Gate Railroad Museum, Golden Gate Model Railroad Museum, annual cross-country train trips); civic engagement (N.E.R.T, San Francisco’s Auxiliary Communications Service, ham radio to enable emergency communications); geology (a full library of “Roadside Geology of [fill in the state or province]” books), which often guided “cruises”); and the Civil War (travel to the south to research sites and forebears). Pam and John met singing (in the Oakland Symphony Chorus), and music was always an important part of their lives. They went to many concerts–including 52 seasons at the SF Opera--and subscribed to and supported many musical organizations. John’s latest passion was the Young Women’s Choral Projects, where he served as board treasurer for most of the last ten years. The amazing music those young women made often brought him to tears.

John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last September. He and Pam had promised each other at least fifty years. He fought valiantly to make it to their fiftieth anniversary, and died two days later. He is survived by his devoted and grateful wife, Pam, of San Francisco; his son and daughter-in-law, James and Sarah Seitchik Sebastian, and their beloved children, Tabitha, Jakob, and Bear, all of Petaluma; his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Ronald Johnson of Castro Valley and their children, grands, and greats; dozens of cousins; and his first wife, Barbara Joy (Heath) Sebastian.

There will be a celebration of John’s life 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022, at (for reasons of space) Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore St. at Jackson in San Francisco. Proof of Covid vax and booster (come early!) and masking required. There will also be a reception.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Young Women’s Choral Projects (ywcp.org/donate) or to Old First Presbyterian Church (1751 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94109).