Arthur Decker, designer of the Lemon Grove trolley station and many local schools and landmarks, died Feb. 13 at Grossmont Gardens Retirement Community in La Mesa from complications of pneumonia.
He was 94, according to a U-T San Diego report published Thursday.
“He wanted to make a difference,” his landscape architect daughter Gail Garbini was quoted as saying. “He wanted to provide the area with an architectural character, which he did. He had quite an impact.”
John Forrest, a son-in-law, called Decker “a true professional. He felt a responsibility toward his practice, toward his clients, toward his community.”
Decker flew B-24 Liberators while served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, said the U-T, which called him a longtime resident of the Mount Helix area.
Forrest described Mr. Decker’s style as having a “huge postmodern influence. Very clean long horizontal lines. Understated. And he always tried to incorporate his designs in with the surrounding architecture,” said the U-T story.
Decker is survived by his wife, Catherine Barbara Decker of La Mesa; daughters Catherine Diane Forrest and Gail Decker Garbini of San Diego; two grandsons and a great-grandson.
Services were held Feb. 21 at Holy Cross Cemetery, the U-T said.
How did Mr. Decker affect your life? Any memories? Post a note in the Comments.
