I am pleased to participate in the Eugene Marathon 5k Run on behalf of Relief Nursery and to raise funds to keep this remarkable and highly effective local nonprofit organization going and growing. Through its rich menu of programs and activities, Relief Nursery works to fulfill its core commitment to safeguard children from abuse and neglect. I urge you to join me in supporting Relief Nursery pledging your tax-deductible donation now.

Gary Coombs was born in Santa Barbara, Calif. as were both of his parents. He attended local schools and U.C. Santa Barbara, before going on to graduate school at UCLA, where he earned his Ph.D. degree in anthropology. He also holds a graduate certificate in museum studies from the University of Delaware.

Gary taught briefly at UCLA and the University of New Mexico, before returning home to become executive director of the Institute for American Research. He joined Goleta Beautiful’s board of directors in 1980 and became chairman of its Goleta Depot preservation committee. After the successful reopening of the historical landmark at its new home at Lake Los Carneros County Park in 1982, Gary became the founding director of the South Coast Railroad Museum — a position that he held until his retirement in 2015. During this period, Gary served for a number of years on the Santa Barbara County Parks Commission and the Santa Barbara County Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee. Dr. Coombs has conducted research on a variety of subjects in archaeology, local history, and social anthropology. He has published a number of books, articles, and other works in these various subject areas.

In 1990, he traveled to Washington, DC, to accept an award on behalf of the South Coast Railroad Museum at a White House ceremony hosted by First Lady Barbara Bush and attended by the president.

Gary has two daughters, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He now lives in Eugene, Ore., where he enjoys golfing, running, reading and travel.