Beach Nov 2016

each people
LIFEGUARDS REMEMBER
Paul Gudmundsson
Fellow lifeguards remembered Paul Gudmundsson with a
beach memorial and paddleout on November 2 in Hermosa
Beach, where he grew up and raised his family. Gudmundsson
became a Los Angeles County Lifeguard in 1972. He subsequently
became a pharmacist, but remained a recurrent (part time)
lifeguard. In 1974, 1976 and 1980 he paddled for the winning Taplin
Bell team and in 1976 his name was added to the bell as a doryman.
His son Shaun and daughter Alexandra both joined him as lifeguards.
He lifeguarded through the past summer and was thought to be
in good health when he died suddenly on October 9. He was 62.
“The weekend before he passed away, Paul went for a beach run,
talked about surfing with me, went for a couple dips in the ocean,
had a bodysurfing competition with Marilyn (his wife) after splashing
her, and searched for sand crabs and made drip castles for his
granddaughter,” his son Shaun said.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be sent to
the Junior Lifeguard Trust Fund at LACOLA Trust, 524 Garnet
Street, #B, Redondo Beach, CA. 90277.
1. LAFD Chief Deputy Anthony Whittle comforts Gudmundsson’s
wife Marilyn after presenting her with the American Flag. Photo by
Cameron Chacker
2. Susie Cunningham. Photo by Joel Gitelson
3. Mourners throw water following the
scattering of ashes. Photo by Cameron
Chacker
4. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Olsby
with the memorial American Flag. Photo by
Cameron Chacker
5. Lifeguard Association president John
Greger presents the traditional Bronze Savage
statue to Gudmundsson’s wife Marilyn. Photo
by Joel Gitelson
6. Son Shaun Gudmundsson. Photo by Joel
Gitelson
7. Remebering Paul. Photo by Cameron 3
Chacker
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46 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • November 10, 2016