Gary Lynn Shoemaker, a UC Santa Cruz staff member in counseling and psychological services for 34 years, died Aug. 4, 2016 while surfing at Pleasure Point, in Capitola. He was 68.
In 1973, Shoemaker first began working as a lecturer and clinical supervisor for an undergraduate peer counseling program at Merrill College. Later, in his long career with UCSC's Counseling and Psychological Services, he was instrumental in establishing an American Psychological Association-approved internship and post-doctoral training program.
As a clinical supervisor and counseling psychologist, he was also very active in promoting cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural competency and even taught a class on "white identity in a multi-cultural society." He retired in 2007.
Shoemaker completed an undergraduate degree at San Francisco State in psychology in 1969 and received his Ph.D. in psychology from Alliant International University in 1973.
He maintained a private practice from 1977-2015 at his Aptos home and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross. Because of his interest in professional psychology and private practice, Shoemaker was involved with the Monterey Bay Psychological Association for many years serving on the executive committee and also as president.
A memorial is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 at Oakes College. For more details please email haleyshoemaker@gmail.com.
A family obituary was published Aug. 12 in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
