Herbert Joel Pierce passed away peacefully in his home on February 9, 2026, after a
long illness. Born on August 27, 1943, to Richard Errol Pierce and Grace Ilene Pierce in
Pasadena, California, Herb was the youngest of three sons. When he was growing up
he went by the name “Joel” (or “Joe”) to his family and friends, and it was only in his
teenage years that he started to go by his first name (because, as he put it, he got tired
of correcting the high school teachers who kept calling him “Herb”).

From early on Herb was an active, outgoing child who loved the outdoors. In his early
20’s he hitchhiked from Southern California to Alaska and worked in a cannery over the
summer. He also spent several seasons working for the National Parks Service as a
park ranger at Wind Cave National Park and Badlands National Park in South Dakota.
Herb attended California State Polytechnic College and graduated with a degree in
Biological Science in 1970. Shortly before this, in 1969, he married the love of his life,
Sally (Skinner). They welcomed their first child, Andrew Joel, in 1970. This was followed
by the arrival of daughter Jennifer Lynn in 1972 and son Edward Errol in 1973.

Herb worked as a park ranger for the State of California from 1969 until 1978: first at
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego, then at Mitchell Caverns (now known
as Providence Mountains State Recreation Area), and lastly at Mount San Jacinto State
Park in Idyllwild. In particular, Herb loved the time that he and Sally and their young
family spent in the Mojave Desert at Mitchell Caverns, and he spoke about that
experience often. As he frequently pointed out, they were “25 miles from the nearest
telephone.” (Those who knew Herb can attest to the fact that he loved to meet and get
to know people from all walks of life; but he also was perfectly happy being alone amidst
nature.)

In 1978 Herb accepted a position as a wildlife biologist with the California Department of
Fish & Game, and he and his family relocated to Eureka in Northern California. This
occupation allowed him the opportunity to work outdoors, which he loved; but it also
required him to interact frequently with local businessmen and politicians as he
represented the state’s interests on issues affecting wildlife. Herb found that he enjoyed
the challenge of working to resolve conflicts between different parties, and he spent
time developing his skills at mediation in these years.

Outside of work, Herb spent the majority of his time with Sally and his children. He took
his family camping, coached his children’s sports teams, co-led the church youth group,
and was always available to play board games, take trips to the park (where often any
games that were played were organized and participated in by him), and answer any
number of questions from his inquisitive children. He also enjoyed sharing his interests
in ornithology and botany with his family; on outdoor jaunts he would often call their
attention to interesting birds or plants he encountered.

Herb retired from the State of California in 2001, and with his children grown, he
became more involved with various charitable activities. He was a Court Appointed
Special Advocate for many years and was also involved in leadership in the United
Methodist Church in Eureka. He and Sally took several trips with members of their
church to help build homes for people in Mexico and New Orleans. During these years,
Herb also worked part time as a Sales Representative for Certified Folder Display
Service. This job allowed him to travel throughout the Pacific Northwest and meet and
talk to many different people, something that he always loved to do. Sally often
accompanied him on these trips. In their retirement, he and Sally enjoyed many
activities together, whether it be camping (alone or with their children and
grandchildren), taking walks together, or going on the occasional cruise. Herb also
greatly enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren.

Throughout his life Herb always tried to be aware of and thankful for the good fortune he
had experienced, and it was important to him to help those who were less fortunate than
he was. He always looked for the best in people, and he always tried to be positive and
upbeat. If Herb was ever asked how he was doing, he would invariably reply by
exclaiming, “Outstanding!” or “Excellent!”

In 2017, Herb suffered a major stroke. This limited his ability to do many things, and he
was extremely fortunate to have his beloved wife Sally there to take care of him for the
last nine years of his life. Despite the challenges he faced, he did not lose his upbeat
outlook (nor his sense of humor). He was greatly comforted in his later years by the time
he was able to spend with his children, grandchildren, and other family and friends who
all cared so deeply for him.

Herb was especially fortunate that in his last few weeks of life he was able to see each
of his grandchildren one last time. He also received significant support from his nephew,
Don Pierce (who, as a young man, had spent many years living with Herb’s family in
Eureka), as well as from his son-in-law, Bob Coleman, both of whom were with him in
his final days.

Herb is preceded in death by his brother Kenneth Arthur Pierce of West Covina, CA,
and his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Coleman of San Diego, CA. He is survived by his wife
Sally of Eureka, CA; son Andrew and daughter in-law Jennifer of Trinidad, CA; son
Edward of Portland, OR; brother Richard James Pierce of La Verne, CA; son in-law Bob
Coleman of Lake Stevens, WA; and grandchildren Cole Pierce, Max Pierce, Marcus
Coleman, Madeline Pierce, and Wilder Coleman.

The Pierce family will be having a small family gathering in memory of Herb.