The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Sunnyvale's arborist loved both people and trees

By Cody Kraatz

Services have been held for Loren Lynn Wiser, who died Sept. 2 at his Sunnyvale home after a three-month struggle with complications from leukemia. He was 59.

Wiser started working for the city of Sunnyvale 36 years ago and became the city arborist in 1989.

"He loved the city, he loved all the people and he loved all the trees," said Deborah Wiser, his wife of 37 years. "Loren knew every tree on every street."

He eradicated disease and saved an oak tree at the Sunnyvale Community Center, which the city will dedicate to him, and cared for the redwood trees at the Sunnyvale Town Center during demolition of the mall.

Wiser was president of the Sunnyvale Employees Association for two terms during his 10 years in the union. He was proud of his work and was always looking for ways to improve the relationship between the city and its employees, said his family.

More than 450 people attended his memorial service.

Born in San Francisco on July 18, 1948, Wiser was adopted by Glen and Adeline Wiser in 1949 and raised in Gridley, Calif. He was an only child but had five cousins who considered him a brother.

He lived in Gridley until fifth grade, then moved to Mariposa and later San Andreas, Calif. In 1965 he moved with his family to Sunnyvale, where he played football at Sunnyvale High School. He also played football at San Jose State University.

Wiser attended Good Samaritan United Methodist Church of Cupertino and met his future wife, Deborah, in Sunday school there when he was 16. They were married in 1970 at the church.

He is survived by his wife Deborah Wiser, daughter Joyous Wiser, son and daughter-in-law Benjamin and Melissa Wiser of Boulder Creek and granddaughter Jocelyn Wiser.

Donations are preferred to the Sunnyvale City Employees Federal Credit Union, 333 W. Maude Ave., No. 114, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, or to Good Samaritan United Methodist Church of Cupertino, 19624 Homestead Rd., Cupertino, CA 95014.