Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA) - January 13, 1996
Deceased Name: WILMER TILLINGHAST
Wilmer A. Tillinghast , who made the rounds to farms, packing houses and the post office as a longtime inspector in the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, died Monday in a Santa Rosa hospital. He was 95.
Tillinghast had been in failing health in recent months, but had been splitting his own firewood as late as a year ago.
Tillinghast , a native of Pennyslvania, was the oldest of nine children. He followed his grandfather, Isaac Tillinghast , to Sonoma County, arriving in 1919 at the age of 19. The elder Tillinghast , an agriculturalist, was a business associate of famed Santa Rosa horticulturist Luther Burbank and owned a seed store in Santa Rosa.
Tillinghast , who kept beehives for many years, served in the agricultural office for 30 years, working his way up to deputy agricultural commissioner under the late farm chief Percy Wright. Tillinghast retired in 1965, remaining physically active until recently. He hunted, fished and trapped and was a devoted fan of author Jack London.
Tillinghast lived in Healdsburg for decades, moving to a five-acre farm outside of Windsor after retiring from the agriculture office. He and his wife, the late Mildred E. Tillinghast , moved to Santa Rosa about 20 years ago.
''My father was tough and stern but very loving,'' said his son, Bill Tillinghast of Santa Rosa.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his daughters, Virginia Lewis of Santa Rosa and Marlene McCaffrey of Laytonville; brother, Steven Tillinghast of Rohnert Park; sister, Harriet Watters of Santa Rosa; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Services were Thursday at Lafferty & Smith Colonial Chapel, Santa Rosa. Burial was in Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date: January 13, 1996
Edition: FINAL
Page: B2