Charles Perry Eckberg
March 6, 1948 - January 5, 2025

Charles Perry Eckberg lived a purposeful and good life. He was an Earth Warrior with a kind soul. Born in San Diego on March 6, 1948, he lived most of his life in Santa Barbara. Later, he moved to Joshua Tree and ultimately settled for most of the last decade of his life in McKinleyville.

As a student at UC Santa Barbara, Charlie studied political science during a time of unprecedented global political upheaval. By day, he attended school lectures and, by night, participated in rallies against the Vietnam War. He witnessed the burning of the Bank of America in Isla Vista and even testified in the court case wrongly accusing student activists for this political act of arson.

After graduation, he fought fires with the Los Padres Hotshots, where he battled the most significant fires in Santa Barbara at the time, including the Sycamore and Coyote Fires.

While living in Isla Vista, Charlie experienced firsthand the inconceivable devastation of the 1969 oil blowout of Unocal’s Platform A in the Santa Barbara Channel. This disaster inspired the birth of the global modern Environmental Movement, as well as many leading Santa Barbara-based environmental organizations, several of which Charlie would become involved with, including Get Oil Out! (GOO!), the Community Environmental Council (CEC), the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) and Earth Day.

Charlie served 25 years on the GOO! Board of Directors and worked closely with its founders, including Bud Bottoms and Henry Feniger. He promoted renewable energy while leading the charge to stop new drilling and called for policies to protect California’s coastline with stricter regulations for the fossil fuel industry. He organized protests, participated with the EDC in legal actions, and produced benefit concerts to support initiatives to give the local community more rights regarding the coastline’s resources.

He served as chair of the CEC Board for more than a decade, working to make the organization a driving force in establishing Santa Barbara’s highly successful recycling industry. During this tenure, Charlie was instrumental in reinvigorating Santa Barbara’s Earth Day celebrations in 1990, which has remained a local flagship event every April since. For many years, he participated on the planning committee and was master of ceremonies several times, sometimes before crowds of tens of thousands. In 1992, he helped produce a sell-out concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl to celebrate Earth Day, including local favorites Jackson Browne, David Crosby and many others. That same year, the Santa Barbara Independent newspaper recognized him as a local hero for his volunteerism and dedication to the local community.

Charlie helped establish green building standards for the construction industry while working at Investec Real Estate and volunteering with Santa Barbara’s Green Building Alliance. When UCSB established the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, Charlie was involved from the beginning, encouraging the Bren building to become the first LEED-certified Platinum building in the University of California system. He played an active role on the Bren School’s Dean’s Council for many years.

His life was about purpose rather than profit. His volunteerism included work for the environment, peace, humanity, and animals. He participated in Beyond War, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and the Santa Barbara Peace Resource Center. He promoted Permaculture and regenerative agriculture while on the board of the Abundant Earth Foundation and as an editor for Permaculture Magazine, North America. As a Wilderness Youth Project Board member, Charlie helped immerse young people into the forest. Volunteering with the Transition House, he made it easier for unhoused people to get back on their feet. To help wild mustang horses find refuge from government slaughter programs, he chaired the board for the Santa Ynez nonprofit Return to Freedom. With his family, he fostered orphaned raccoons, ducks, and other wild critters until they could be released back to nature through the Wildlife Care Network. His love ran deep for the people and the causes he cared about.

But there was only one real love of his life — for it was love at first sight when Charlie met Kelly. They were married in 1973 and spent the rest of his life together. In 1979, he moved his young family to the Hollister Ranch on the Gaviota Coast, living there many years throughout his life and working hard to protect the area. He often played David against the Goliath oil companies threatening the coast. He was instrumental in allowing the Chumash to access and occupy their ancestral sacred lands, known as the Western Gate, just south of Point Conception. The land was slated to become a liquified natural gas facility. The project was ultimately halted, and today the land remains undeveloped, providing a safe corridor for animals and spirits to pass freely.

However, there was not the same luck a few years later with the battle to stop Chevron’s deadly oil and gas pipeline and processing facility on the Gaviota Coast. During this time, he and Kelly wrote a book, Danger at the Door, to chronicle the community’s fight against the threats and injustices of oil and gas development.

Though he loved the coast, a special place was also held in Charlie’s heart for the unique desert of Joshua Tree. Charlie’s creative activism and gift of bringing people together led to inviting Santa Barbara’s art collective, the Oak Group, to capture the beauty of Joshua Tree on canvas. The paintings were displayed in the Halls of Congress as the Desert Protection Act was being voted on in 1994, ultimately making Joshua Tree a protected National Park.

Later in life, while living in Humboldt County, Charlie became deeply inspired by old-growth forests. He served on the board of Forests Forever and was part of the Lost Coast League. Charlie participated in efforts to save the Rainbow Ridge old-growth forest habitat of the Mattole Watershed from the chainsaws of Humboldt Redwood Company — an effort that continues today. Working closely to support Santa Barbra’s John Perlin in the release of the latest version of the book, A Forest Journey, Charlie’s editing skills were put to use in sharing the important role forests have played in human culture throughout history.

Some have called Charlie their “environmental conscience,” as his support and inspiration ha s impacted countless lives. He dedicated his life to fight against injustices to people and the planet and worked hard to promote positive solutions. Charlie always followed the greener path, and with a smile on his face. He had a great gift for making everyone he met feel like a friend and was loved by many. He will be greatly missed , but his legacy is carried on by all who work to defend the Earth and its inhabitants.

Charlie passed unexpectedly of natural causes on January 5, 2025 , at his home, in the arms of his wife, two months short of his 77th birthday. He is survived by his wife, Kelly, daughters Hannah Apricot Eckberg and Heather Summer Turner, son-in-law Randy Turner, loving pets, and countless friends. He was wrapped in an Earth Day flag as he was cremated. He will be honored at Santa Barbara’s Earth Day opening ceremony on April 26 at noon in Alameda Park. A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends in Humboldt later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his remembrance to AbundantEarthFoundation.org.

By Hannah Apricot Eckberg.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Delbert Ray Eschliman, 80, who passed away on February 25, 2025, in Fortuna. “Del,” as his friends and family called him, was born on July 20, 1944, in Chico, to Joy and Marie Eschliman.

Del attended Fremont High School in Fremont, where he excelled in basketball and woodworking. At age 18, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a sergeant and served for two years. He later went on to join the local National Guard.

Del moved to Humboldt in the 1960s, where he met his wife of 55 years, Deloris Tucker. He was a lifelong logger and worked for Rock Logging until he was forced into retirement after suffering a stroke at the age of 76.

Del had many hobbies, but his favorite was fishing. He was known for catching impressive salmon, steelhead and sturgeon. He loved life and would often say, “Not everyone gets to live to be 80.”

Del was a beloved and devoted husband and father. He leaves behind his wife, Deloris Eschliman; his daughters, Jan (Jerry) Martinez and Kelly (Johnny) Valencia; seven grandchildren: Dustin (Jordee) Herrera, Kyle Herrera, Lanzo Martinez, Korrina (Nelson Juarez) Valencia, Gabriela (Brandon) Pereira, and Johnny Valencia Jr.; and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Gary (Pat) Eschliman of Mesa, Ariz., along with many other family members who meant so much to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joy and Marie Eschliman, and his brothers, Robert (Mary) Eschliman and LaVerne Eschliman.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to those who selflessly helped care for Del since his stroke in 2020, especially Dan Stevens, Sara Ramirez, and Trina Bernal.

In accordance with Delbert’s wishes, he was a tissue, bone, and eye donor and chose to be cremated. His cremation is being handled by Ayers in Eureka. A small private ceremony will be held at a later date.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Del Eschliman’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Floyd Harold Flores Jr., 83, of Eureka, died on March 3, 2025.

Floyd was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on 1942, to Floyd Harold and Nettie Allen Flores. A Yurok tribal member, he moved to his ancestral home of Orleans to live with his maternal grandparents when he was still young enough to be held. He grew up surrounded by loving siblings/aunts and uncles.

Floyd, an Arcata High alumni, studied art at Shasta College and even instilled a love of art and music among his children. Their home was filled with music shaped by all genres, from Miles Davis to Black Sabbath.

Floyd enjoyed a life outdoors. He worked for many years in the timber industry, loved camping throughout Northern California, and spent many afternoons along the beaches and rivers of Humboldt County. Floyd loved walking amongst nature and wildlife so long as it didn’t involve any snakes.

Floyd was preceded in death by grandparents Orville and Mayme Allen, parents Floyd and Nettie Flores, his wife Phyllis Lynn, and his grandson Kian Patrick Flores. He is survived by his children, Johnny, Floyd III, Ethan, Damia, and their spouses, his grandchildren Nathan and Melissa, and a large extended family.

Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Friday March 7 at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata from 1 to 4 p.m., with a full memorial forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations to savetheredwoods.org would be greatly appreciated.

Charlotte Rae Cudney
Aug. 22, 1930 – Feb. 13, 2025

Charlotte R. Cudney was the fourth born daughter to Elmer and Bertha Cudney. Her siblings were Margie, Francis, Inez, Joel, Edgar, Edward and Dell.

Charlotte was born in Eureka, grew up in Fort Seward and graduated from Fortuna High School in Fortuna. Upon graduation she went to work for Charlie Barnum Timber Co. until she was hired at Belcher Abstract and Title/Western Title, where she worked for many years before starting her own business — North Coast Escrow Services, Inc. — until she retired.

Charlotte always made sure that the family celebrated Christmas at her house and everybody got a gift, no matter how big or small. Charlotte made sure that everybody got a birthday present and gifts for other milestones in their lives also until she was unable to do so.

Charlotte loved family, music, cats, swimming, her country property and freshly grown fruits and vegetables. Charlotte was an active member of the 7th Day Adventist Church and believed in Christ very much. When Charlotte was no longer able to be cared for at her home she went to live in Eureka Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, where she was loved and cared for until the end. Hospice helped care for her in her final days and she went to sleep peacefully with family by her side.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her father, mother and all of her siblings. Charlotte is survived by nephews, nieces, many grand- and great-nephews and nieces and a cousin. Charlotte is loved by many. She loved and brightened so many lives she will truly be missed until we meet up with her again.

Charlotte will have a graveside service on March 7, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Ocean View Cemetery.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Charlotte Cudney’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s new research vessel docked in the bay today, accompanied by a procession of other boats, welcomed by a crowd of landlubbers, and christened by a specially made bottle of Champagne.

The R/V North Wind is Humboldt’s oceanographic research boat, capable of carrying 40 people and hitting 24 knots. It sailed all the way down from Bellingham over the last couple weeks after completing sea trials. Constructed by ship company All American Marine, the aluminum catamaran is 78 feet long and powered by two engines capable of putting out 1,100 horsepower apiece. It’s also decked out with equipment that can measure both physical and biological characteristics of the ocean floor.

Humboldt will still use its old research vessel, the Coral Sea, for a little while before selling it somewhere out of California. According to CPH’s interim president Michael Spagna, its older engines can’t pass California’s emissions standards. 

The North Wind cost $7.9 million and was purchased with funds from the polytechnic grant.

At the tail end of last night’s five-hour meeting, the Eureka City Council unanimously passed a “sanctuary city” resolution to protect undocumented immigrants living in the city. 

The resolution — linked here — bars the city from using its resources for immigration enforcement and prohibits the Eureka Police Department from sharing immigration-related information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “unless required by federal or state law.” The resolution does not prevent enforcement against people convicted of serious and violent crimes.

Speaking at last night’s meeting, City Attorney Autumn Luna said the resolution adheres to state law and “shares a lot of commonalities” with sanctuary policies adopted by the County of Humboldt and the City of Arcata. She also acknowledged the nationwide crackdown on federal immigration enforcement and recent efforts by the Trump administration to defund communities that refuse to comply with federal immigration officials.

“[T]hese issues are being litigated currently, and there has been no judgment from any court that would prevent the city from taking the action today. I just want to be clear about that,” Luna said, adding that she and her staff will continue to monitor the situation. “[N]othing about this policy prevents enforcement against folks who have committed crimes. This is about civil federal immigration policy and the city’s directive that we not use city resources to assist in civil federal immigration policy enforcement. I think that’s a really important distinction.”

Turning to questions from the council, Councilmember Kati Moulton asked EPD Chief Brian Stephens if he thought the resolution would make Eureka less safe. 

Stephens

“I don’t believe the resolution will change the way the community members will feel — definitely not feel unsafe,” Stephens said. “It’s our mission to continue to serve the community no matter whether the resolution is in place or not. … Nothing has changed [in] the way the Eureka Police Department serves our community. We’re open to anyone that’s victimized to come forward, and we’ll take care of them and do all we can to solve their crime.” 

Stephens also shared a brief statement emphasizing his department’s “ongoing mission” to foster trust between residents and law enforcement and ensure “that everyone feels safe to seek help with crimes, regardless of immigration status, background or circumstance.”

More than three dozen people spoke during the hour-long public comment portion of the meeting. Eureka resident Carmen Elena, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico, called on the city council to “push back against the systems that seek to divide and dehumanize us.”

“Let’s be honest about why so many immigrants are here in the first place,” Elena said. “Many have fled violence, economic destabilization, political upheaval [and] conditions created or worsened by U.S. foreign policies. From military interventions to trade agreements that have gutted local economies, our government has played a direct role in forcing people to leave their countries of origin. And yet, when they arrive here seeking safety, they are often met with detention, deportation, hostility, or are merely welcomed as a surplus disposable labor force.”

Brenda Perez, executive director of Centro del Pueblo, praised the city council for considering the resolution, noting that the sanctuary city movement is a way to “repair historical mistakes.”

“My hope with this resolution … is that the local law enforcement [will] stop the racial profiling,” Perez said. “[I]t is time that we are equal in front of the law. It is time for the cities, for every institution [to] treat us as equals. … I will say that for the first time since I migrated here, I feel like ‘We the people’ is real. We all — immigrants, citizens, documented and undocumented — we are all the same in front of a sanctuary status.”

Several other speakers drew comparisons between U.S. immigration policies and Nazi Germany. Eureka resident Peter Pennekamp said his father came to the U.S. as a political refugee after his “whole family died in Auschwitz.” He added that current policies make it extremely difficult for people to immigrate to the United States. 

Pennekamp

“We do not make it easy for people to come here. Everyone has to fight for it, [and] they don’t get treated well,” Pennekamp said. “This is a rough place to land. … Anything we can do that provides us comfort, that gives people the message that they count and that this country actually has an ideal or two that’s left alive — it’s going to be found in places like this. I commend you for looking at this and I stand totally behind [you].”

Eureka resident Cornelius Loewenstein, a first generation immigrant, also shared his family’s story of fleeing Nazi Germany, but had a much different stance on U.S. immigration policies. Loewenstein said he stands for immigration “as long as it’s legal” and advocated for increased enforcement.

“Why should I jump through all the rules?” he asked, beating his fist on the podium. “Why should I have to wait my turn? … It is shameful to even consider to break federal immigration law, and I hope that [ICE] comes after you. I hope that [border czar Tom] Homan comes after you. … I hope you will be held accountable for being the anti-American pieces of filth that you are, dirty communists.”

Eureka resident Stephen Parr also spoke against the resolution, accusing the council of virtue-signaling. He falsely claimed that the only people at risk of deportation are illegal immigrants who’ve committed crimes. “The only people they’re talking about deporting are the people that have committed further crimes, and if you want to support them, then go to hell,” Parr said.

(To be clear, anyone without legal status could be subject to arrest or deportation. While the Trump administration has targeted people with criminal convictions, thousands of others have been arrested. An article recently published in ProPublica states that “less than half of the approximately 8,200 people arrested from Jan. 20 through Feb. 2 so far have criminal convictions.”)

Fernandez

Following public comment, Councilmember G. Mario Fernandez made a motion to adopt the resolution and declare Eureka a sanctuary city. The action was seconded by Councilmember Moulton. 

Fernandez also disputed a previous commenter’s assertion that undocumented people are soaking off the government. “These are people who willingly work and contribute without reaping much — if any — benefits other than the hopeful feelings that they have of safety and community.” 

Addressing Parr’s accusation of “virtue-signaling,” Councilmember Moulton rhetorically asked why “displaying your ideals and principles is somehow a bad thing.”

Moulton

“The virtues that I would like to signal right now are compassion and community,” she continued. “I would like to communicate to all members of our community that they are valued [and] they deserve equal access to opportunity and equal protection under the law. I’m grateful that you’re here, grateful that we’re here with you and grateful that my human family is so big and diverse.”

Councilmember Leslie Castellano joined the chorus in underscoring her support for the resolution and thanked Chief Stephens for continuing to build trust with all residents. She also encouraged the city manager to collaborate with local rapid response networks to combat misinformation surrounding ICE activity in the city. 

Councilmember Renee Contreras-DeLoach talked about her family’s roots in Mexico and how immigration policies have flip-flopped over the years “based on the values [of] the elected leaders of those times.” She shared an emotional story about an unexpected ICE raid that occurred during her time as an elected official in Utah in the early 2000s.

“They had gone to a factory and just rounded people up, and it stuck with me,” she said, her voice wavering with emotion. “It’s something that I’m never going to forget. There were children on porches sitting, waiting for parents that didn’t show up, and there were children at school who were waiting who didn’t get picked up. I never want to contribute in any way, shape or form to something like that happening to anybody in our community.”

Councilmember Scott Bauer also spoke in favor of the resolution, quoting from the inscription on the Statue of Liberty’s tablet: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. 

“That’s the value that we’re talking about here, right? We believe that,” he said. “And I think about people who say you should [immigrate] legally. I want to say to them, ‘What would you do for your … family to make them safe, to provide for them, to make them hope for a better life?’ … You know what you would do. You would do whatever it takes.”

Mayor Kim Bergel also shared an emotional story about one of her students who feared their parents would be deported. “He said, ‘My parents won’t leave the house,’ and I felt so upset about that because what can I do? Not a heck of a lot,” she said.  “But tonight, I’m proud and honored to be here with all of you and to be able to go to school tomorrow and say, ‘Hey, guess what? This is what our council … community came together to make happen.’”

The council approved the resolution in a unanimous 5-0 vote.

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What else happened at last night’s meeting? Check back tomorrow for more coverage!

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Mar. 3, 2025, at around 8 p.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the area of Vance Ave. and Pedro Ln. in Samoa observed a male subject walking along the roadway. The deputy contacted the subject, who falsely identified himself but was later identified as John Barton, 36, of Samoa. 

While conducting this investigation, the deputy observed Barton turn his body away and toss a plastic bag over the roadway barricade. The deputy subsequently recovered the bag and collected it for testing. The deputy confirmed with the Emergency Communications Center that Barton had two felony warrants for his arrest, a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, and was on formal probation.

While the deputy waited for the records check to return, Barton stated that he was having difficulty breathing and fell to the ground. Medical personnel arrived on scene and Barton was transported to a local hospital. The deputy observed a second plastic bag on the ground near Barton and collected it for testing. 

The deputy tested the substances found in the bags and confirmed that Barton had 7.41g of methamphetamine in his possession.

Barton was then medically cleared by the hospital and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility to be booked for the following charges:

• Violation of probation—PC 1203.2(a)
• Giving a false ID to a police officer—PC 148.9(a)
• Possession of methamphetamine—H&S 11377(a)

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.