Los Angeles County Lifeguard Trust Fund and Alumni Association

Herb Suskin

 

Herb Suskin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, and long-time California lifeguard, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 91. His wife of 61 years, Diane, was by his side.

 

Born July 2, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bertha Radel and Charles Suskin, Herb moved with his family to Santa Monica at age seven. Living near the ocean sparked a lifelong love of the water. A graduate of Santa Monica High School and California State University, Los Angeles, he later earned a master's degree from Azusa Pacific University. Herb played water polo in high school and college, earning All-American honors, and went on to serve as a beach lifeguard in Santa Monica and later with Los Angeles County for nearly 40 years, including many years at Leo Carrillo, Zuma, and Nicholas Canyon. 

 

Herb also served proudly in the U.S. Army, spending over a year stationed in Fulda, Germany, where he worked as a medic and pool lifeguard. Herb used his training in the army to teach CPR and First Aid for the American Red Cross. 

 

In 1962 Herb met Diane, and they married in 1964. After earning his teaching credential, Herb moved to Las Vegas to teach middle school boys for two years. When Diane joined him after their wedding, they enjoyed what was then a small town, seeing top entertainers during the week and enjoying inexpensive dinners at the casinos. In 1965 they returned to California and purchased their first home in Oxnard, where Herb

accepted a teaching position. Their first daughter, Wendy, arrived just a month later, followed by Robyn, Heather, and Dawn-making Herb a proud "girl dad." 

 

Herb began teaching at Rio Mesa High School in 1965, coaching boys’ basketball and tennis. A year later he transferred to Oxnard High School, where he spent the remainder of his career teaching health and science. He also coached water polo, swimming, and girls’ volleyball and officiated swim and water polo meets. Herb retired from teaching and lifeguarding in 1995. 

 

Herb is survived by his wife Diane; daughters Wendy Henchy (RJ), Robyn Bridges (Jim), Heather Suskin, and Dawn Suskin; grandchildren Michael Henchy (Ally) and Katy Markert (Justin); great-grandson Calvin Henchy; and brother-in-law Rick Duvall. 

 

The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Oakmont of Riverpark, where Herb lived for the past six years, and Full Care Hospice, who cared for him in his final weeks. At Herb's request, there will be no formal service. His ashes will be released into the ocean he loved. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to a charity of your choice.