Eugene R. Mustar died in his Sunnyvale home on Feb. 9. He was 88.

Mustar was born on Nov. 1, 1916, in Northville, S. D. He moved to Oakland in 1923.

Mustar married Erma Cook in 1939. Shortly after, he completed his California Highway Patrol training. His career, however, took a detour when Mustar enlisted in the Navy in 1942. He toured the South Pacific, mastering and improving naval aerial photography techniques.

After the war, Mustar taught airplane crews, and earned the rank of aviation ordinance chief.

During his 30 years in the Navy, Mustar and his family moved often. They lived in Miami, Fla., Barber's Point, Hawaii, and Millington, Tenn. Mustar and his family lived in Sunnyvale for 49 years.

He retired from the Navy in 1961, and worked for Philco Ford, Sylvania and Pearson Oldsmobile. He retired in 1978 and devoted his time to his family, his rare stamp collection and travel.

Mustar is survived by his wife of 65 years, Erma Cook Mustar; his daughters, Pamela Uhlenberg of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Diana Gomez of Sunnyvale and 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on March 31. Mustar is interred at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto.