Harold G. Kilminster

Our dear father passed away peacefully at home in Santa Barbara, California on February 4, 2026. Harold G. Kilminster (“Hal,” also known as Buddy), was born in Santa Barbara to Harold and Anna Kilminster on May 7, 1929. Shortly after Hal’s birth, the family moved into their newly built home in the lower Mission Canyon area. Young Hal enjoyed riding his bike and his horse
“Sweetheart” to the Santa Barbara Mission and the Museum of Natural History, where he could learn about the Chumash Indians and view their artifacts. These early experiences influenced his future career as a history teacher.

Hal also rode his horse in the Fiesta parades and enjoyed dressing up in his Western California cowboy attire. Hal attended Peabody Elementary School and La Cumbre Junior High, and was in the seventh grade when World War Two began, something that also spurred his lifelong passion for history. Hal noticed one of his friends stopped attending school. He rode his bike to the Mesa, where his friend’s family had a nursery, and discovered the family had been relocated during this difficult time. Hal persevered and focused on his studies and school fundraisers, selling magazines to the staff at the Hoff General Hospital, where the municipal golf course is located today.

After graduation from Santa Barbara High School in 1947, Hal was accepted to Cal Poly SLO and received a degree in animal husbandry. He then attended UCSB Rivera campus, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in history and his teaching credential. During a social event at the school, he met a fellow student named Barbara Cravens of Carpinteria, and married her after graduation.

Hal returned to Cal Poly with his new bride to pursue his master’s degree, which was interrupted when the Navy called him to duty during the Korean War. He was shipped to the Philippines, where he served as combat engineer and a secretary to his supervisors when they discovered his advanced typing skills. Upon his return home from his service abroad, Hal was accepted to the Marine Corps Officers Candidate School, and received an acceptance to a master’s program and an employment offer from the Santa Barbara School District, which he accepted, all in the same week!

Hal began teaching history at Santa Barbara High School, then was transferred to San Marcos High School in 1961, where he stayed until his retirement in 1995. In addition to teaching history, he taught typing, driver’s education and training, was a football coach and the director of the Equestrian Club and the horse show events. Always enjoying working with students, he was also a substitute teacher at Dos Pueblos High School during his retirement.

During his summer breaks from teaching, Hal kept busy by working as a firefighter, and one summer he was on the Hot Shot crew. He was also employed part time by the U.S. Forest Service as an Air Service Manager dispatching Borate fire bombers from the Santa Barbara airport. He also volunteered at the Child’s Estate and helped convert it to the Santa Barbara Zoo, where he was honored as a lifetime member for his service. Hal also volunteered as a security officer for the 1984 Olympic Village at UCSB.

Hal is survived by his daughters, Panda, Beryl Schoenfelder (Dennis), and Heidi Jackson; his grandchildren, Coryl, Amanda Sedgwick (Shane), Ashley, Rob, and Hayden; his great grandchildren, Jayden and Ferris. He was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 66 years, Barbara, his daughter Tami, and his sister Audrey.

A private burial is planned at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, and a celebration of life will be announced soon.