Services next week for David Mertes, former head of state community college system

A celebration of life is set next weekend for David Mertes, former chancellor of the California Community College system and at one time chairman of the ValleyCare Health System. Mr. Mertes, who died Oct. 9, was 83.

Besides heading the state's community college system from 1988 to 1996, he previously was chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District, superintendent/president of Santa Barbara City College and president of the College of San Mateo.

After his retirement, Mr. Mertes served on the board of the ValleyCare Health System and also as its chairman. He was a founding member and 11-year director of the Las Positas College Foundation and had oversight of the International Service Projects of the Livermore Rotary Club. In that capacity, he made many service trips to some of the neediest areas of the world.

He received a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University and master's and doctorate degrees from UC Berkeley with a major in biochemical embryology.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Mertes, who serves on the board of trustees of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.

"Our entire district family mourns the loss of a giant in the field of higher education," said the district's chancellor, Jannett Jackson. "His contributions to the community colleges in California will not soon be matched. Our thoughts and prayers are with trustee Mertes and her family at this time of immeasurable loss."

The celebration of life is set for Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. at the Robert Livermore Center, 4444 East Ave., Livermore.

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Services next week for David Mertes, former head of state community college system