The Quiet Echo of a Life Well Lived: Remembering Fred Larry Bainum

There are some lives, you know, that simply become part of the landscape, woven so seamlessly into the fabric of a community that their passing leaves a silence more profound than one might initially imagine. And so it is with Fred Larry Bainum, a man whose quiet presence, a life lived with a gentle steadfastness, concluded on May 30, 2024. He was, in truth, a Santa Cruz fixture, a familiar and beloved figure whose memory now echoes in the places he loved and the hearts he touched.

Born under the California sun in Visalia back on October 26, 1941, Fred found his true home quite early. His family, when he was just a young child, settled here in Santa Cruz, a place that would truly define his earthly journey. He walked the halls of Santa Cruz High School, graduating with the class of 1959, and then, as so many young men did, he answered the call to serve his country, joining the U.S. Navy. Those years, one can only surmise, shaped the quiet discipline that would mark his later life.

Upon his return, Fred embarked on a career that, frankly, few manage to replicate in its longevity and dedication. For more than three decades, a remarkable thirty-plus years, he was a bedrock at the Santa Cruz Water Department. He climbed the ranks, eventually retiring as Superintendent, a testament not just to his skill but, really, to his commitment to the very infrastructure that sustained his beloved town. You could say he literally helped keep the water flowing, a vital, often unsung, role.

But life, as we all know, is far more than just work, isn’t it? For Fred, a significant chunk of his soul resided in the great outdoors. Fishing, honestly, was more than a hobby; it was a passion. Whether he was chasing salmon and halibut out on the vast ocean, or patiently seeking trout in the serene freshwater streams, those moments by the water were where he truly connected—to nature, perhaps, and certainly to a profound sense of peace. And camping? Yes, that too, often intertwined with those fishing expeditions, creating memories under open skies.

And then there was the garden, a quiet sanctuary where he coaxed life from the soil. Tomatoes, yes, and garlic, growing under his careful, patient hand. It’s a lovely image, isn't it? Beyond the earth, his loyalties were clear and unwavering: the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants, and of course, our very own Warriors. He was, to put it mildly, a true fan, cheering through thick and thin, sharing those collective highs and lows that sports uniquely offer.

Yet, at the heart of it all, truly the most vital part, was his family. His wife, Barbara, shared so many years and so much life with him. Together, they raised their children, Jennifer and Eric, and watched their family grow with the arrival of grandchildren, Jessica and Tyler. He leaves behind his sister, JoAnn, too. Those who knew Fred speak consistently of his gentle spirit, his remarkable patience, and his inherent kindness. He wasn’t a man of grand gestures, perhaps, but rather of consistent, quiet love and unwavering support. He simply was good, and that, in this world, is something precious indeed.

So, as Santa Cruz remembers Fred Larry Bainum, it’s not just an obituary we’re reading. It’s a testament to a life well-lived, a testament to the quiet strength of a man who gave so much to his community and even more to his loved ones. He may be gone from our sight, but the ripples of his gentle kindness, his dedication, and his enduring spirit—well, they certainly remain, flowing on, much like the very water he helped manage for so many years. He will be profoundly missed, you can be sure of that.