Merritt Lindgren was born the fourth child to Harold and Adele Lindgren on Nov. 29, 1953, and he passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 29, 2025.

Merritt was and is dearly loved by his family — his sisters, Cindy and Corrine Lindgren, Lisa Bernardi; son, Christopher Bernardi, wife, Kate, Alden Perry, Merritt Perry, wife, Kristina Walker, son & daughter Gavin & Maia Perry, niece Stacy Calderone, son Ryan McGrew, nephews Jason Calderone, Joel Calderone, wife, Gina, children Julian and Sadie Calderone.

Merritt was raised in a home built by his father in a forested area of Dix Hills, Long Island, New York, where he loved to roam, unafraid of anything, with his lifelong friends, Fred Gunderson and Grant Steen. In the mid 1970s, Merritt moved to Ukiah to live near his sisters Cindy and Corky, and he later moved to Humboldt to attend Humboldt State University where he graduated with a degree in forestry and worked as a licensed forester for 35 years at NRM until he retired.

Merritt built a life in the community of Blue Lake, where he has been blessed to have so many friends who love and care about him. He loved the woods, the rivers, fishing, and dancing, and his dog, Odin. Friends joined during his several walks a day along the Mad River. He planted trees, fixed trails with colorful rocks and designed sculptures on large driftwood roots with gem like stones where many would stop to admire and/or leave a precious stone of their own 

Merritt was one of the founders of the Old Crows, a men’s group that devoted time to the community.

Merritt was kind and thoughtful, with humility. He cared about his community and loved the people around him with his quirky sense humor. We all miss him. Merritt made his mark in the life he lived and will always be loved and remembered.

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