Obituary of Larry Erwin

Larry Lee Erwin, a beloved Poppie, grandpa, husband, brother and friend who served as Public Works Director in the City of Santa Cruz for 15 years, died of a lengthy illness here on March 16, 2024. He was 82. Larry was born in Neosho, Missouri, to Emmet and Molly Bell (Hemphill) Erwin. He was an avid fan in his youth of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and especially its star, Stan Musial. He played shortstop on local youth teams and was considered for a pro contract following his graduation from Neosho High School (where he also played basketball). Larry chose education instead. He graduated from Joplin Junior College, and the Civil Engineering program at the Missouri School of Mines (now the Missouri University of Science and Technology) in 1965. Following graduation he was hired by the California Department of Transportation as an assistant Civil Engineer, where he was responsible for the design and construction of a number of California’s state highways. In 1969, Larry moved to Newark, California, where he managed the city’s Engineering Division, responsible for the design and construction of all of the city’s street and infrastructure projects. In 1973, he was hired by the City of Santa Cruz as the Assistant Director of Public Works and in 1982 was promoted to Director of Public Works, a position he held for over 15 years until his retirement in 1997. In these roles he was responsible for all of the city’s engineering and infrastructure development, including traffic, streets and bridges; wastewater management, rivers, and flood control; wharf management; shore protection; the City’s Capital Improvement Program; a staff of 177 city employees; and an annual Public Works budget. Larry worked continuously with the Santa Cruz City Council, regulatory agencies, environmental groups (including the Sierra Club), and other California and US government agencies and elected officials to obtain funding and approval for new infrastructure projects needed in the city. Among Larry’s professional accomplishments were his and his department’s emergency preparations and response to the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, during which time Larry was the city’s Incident Commander responsible for the rapid assessment and restoration of city facilities and services following the devastating damage sustained by the city. He was also responsible for major upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment facilities and ocean outfall; improvements to the city’s landfill and recycling program; rehabilitation and new construction for the city’s wharf; and numerous street, parking, and bridge projects. After his retirement in 1997, Larry worked as a stadium usher for the San Francisco Giants part-time for ten years. During that time he was able to experience first hand the game that he loved in his youth and grew up playing, passing this love of baseball to all three of his grandsons. Larry enjoyed regular vacations and visits with his four grandchildren and was a major part of their lives growing up. He loved them dearly and was proud of their many accomplishments. Larry was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife of 34 years Judy (Wolfe) Erwin (1996) and his four siblings: Adela Fae Lawson (2001), Chuck Erwin (2001), Barbara Jean Conway (2017) and Emmet Erwin, Jr (2016). Larry is survived by his son Timothy Erwin and grandson, Bryson Erwin; his daughter Jayne Murphy and her husband Douglas Murphy and their three children: Conner Murphy and his wife Megan Murphy, Evan Murphy, and Makenna Murphy. He was also blessed by a 50-year friendship with Steve and Annie Cramer and their kids Kent Cramer and Adrienne Cramer. A visitation will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 12:30 to 2:30 at Santa Cruz Memorial Chapel, 1927 Ocean St Ext, Santa Cruz. Internment immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Santa Cruz SPCA, 2601 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 [www.spcasc.org].