Ervin (Erv) G. Birzer, 79, died peacefully at Serenity House of Santa Barbara, Calif., on March 29.  Born Dec. 29, 1933 near Ellinwood, his was the son of Joseph Frank and Marie Ann (Huslig) Birzer.

In 1952 he enlisted in the Air Force serving two years in Japan as a radio operator. Afterwards he enrolled and graduated from Fort Hays State with a MS in Science. It was at Fort Hays that he met the love of his life, Janice Marie (Dinkel) Birzer. They were married in 1961 in Wakeenee.  In 1966 he moved his family to Santa Barbara to take a teaching job at La Cumbre Junior Highschool where he shared his love of learning with his students until 1993. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1992, he was determined to live life to the fullest.  Retirement did not slow Erv down as he kept busy with his passion for all things mechanical.  Erv’s projects took center stage at the Stow House’s Fourth of July celebration, including a gas powered bubble machine, the famous Re-Cycle and a restored 1945 Jeep.  Erv’s wide range of interests allowed him to touch many lives. He took leadership and volunteer roles in community groups including the Santa Barbara High School District, the Boy Scouts, St. Raphael’s Church, the Central Coast Vintage Machinery Assoc., Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara and Encina Royale.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Jan, as well as two sons, Randy and wife Michele Birzer and Brian and wife Tracy Birzer, one daughter, Lisa and husband Paul Casas, and three grandchildren, Danika, River and Justin.  He is also survived by his siblings, Theresa, Norm, Marcella and Sr. Rita, OP.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marie Birzer; two brothers, Jerome and Jerry, and one sister, Lucille.  
A 10 a.m. Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life are planned at St. Raphael’s Church, 5444 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, Calif., on June 29, 2013.  Memorials are suggested to the  Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara, www.mypasb.org,  where donations in Erv’s memory can be made in lieu of flowers.

Funeral Arrangements by
McDermott-Crockett Mortuary *
2020 Chapala St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Great Bend (KS) Tribune, April 9, 2013