GALE, MERLIN H. Merlin Gale, a long-time resident of San Diego, died peacefully at home with his daughter at his side on June 30, 2009. Merlin was born March 17, 1912, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Merlin moved to California. In 1939, he began his career as an engineer at North Island Naval Air Station. During World War II he received an award from the Secretary of the Navy for the invention of an aircraft bombsite. Later, as Manager of Airframes and Weapons, he had overall responsibility for the maintenance of Naval aircraft in the Pacific fleet. Merlin retired in 1976 after 33 years of a fulfilling career. When his first wife, Thelma Uden Gale, died in 1953, Merlin continued to raise his two children by himself. In 1962, he married Georgina Munoz Gale. They traveled extensively around the world collecting art, and became very active in the San Diego and Latin American art communities. Merlin served on the Board of the Committee of One Hundred and was a volunteer at the San Diego Museum of Art. Merlin had a passion for skin diving and fishing, dating back to the 40's. His son has many fond memories of them diving and fishing in La Jolla and Baja. Summers he took his children camping in Kings Canyon National Park. Merlin is survived by his children, Alan and Carolyn Gale, who reside in Oregon, and his grandson, Larry of Texas. A Memorial Service will be held at Temple Beth Israel in August. Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 7/10/2009