Gerda van de Bunt

March 19, 1929 – July 26, 2026

Gerda Bakker van de Bunt passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 26, 2026, at home in Santa Barbara, California.

Raised in The Netherlands, Gerda lived a remarkable life shaped by courage, resilience, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for family and the beauty found in everyday life.

As a child, she survived the German occupation during World War II. After the war, Gerda immigrated to the United States with her family, beginning a new chapter far from the home she had known. She later returned to the Netherlands, where she worked as social secretary for the U.S. Ambassador. It was during this period that she met the love of her life, Wouter.

Gerda and Wouter married in 1957, beginning a partnership that would span 59 years. In 1959, with two very young children in tow, they moved to the United States and began building a life filled with family, adventure, and new experiences.

Wouter’s career took the family to many places, and Gerda embraced each move with remarkable grace. Over the years they made homes in Falls Church, Virginia; Centerport, New York; Beirut, Lebanon; Palos Verdes, California; Berwyn, Pennsylvania and Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Gerda especially loved the adventure of raising her family in a completely different culture. During the Six-Day War, when the family was evacuated, she showed the quiet courage and composure that characterized her throughout her life and turned what could have been a frightening ordeal into a family adventure. With seemingly remarkable ease, she created a warm and loving home everywhere they lived, always putting her children first which gave them a sense of security and belonging through each transition.

Wouter and Gerda finally settled down, spending 10 years in the Charlottesville, Virginia area, followed by 15 more in Marina del Rey, California. Gerda spent her last nine years in Santa Barbara.

Gerda was deeply loved by everyone who knew her. She had a generous spirit and a warm presence that left a lasting impression. She possessed a curious and thoughtful mind, cared deeply about the world around her, and maintained a lifelong interest in politics and the events shaping the world. She was also a passionate gardener who found joy in flowers of every kind.

A true adventurer, Gerda loved to travel. In their later years, she especially enjoyed the numerous cross-country road trips she took with Wouter and their extended stays in numerous eastern European countries where Wouter volunteered for the International Executive Service Corps.

Above all, Gerda was devoted to her family. Her greatest joy was her children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren all of whom she adored. She is survived by her four children, Dirk van de Bunt (Susan) of Santa Monica, CA; Magda Stayton (Lawrence) of Santa Barbara, CA; Annette Parker (Donald) of Devon, PA and Bennet Vandebunt (Laura) of Brentwood, CA, nine grandchildren, Alex, Kayla, Alicia, Connor, Jack, Andrew, Cate, Ali, and Kate; and four great-grandchildren, Vienna, Keaira, Banks, and Marina.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wouter; her three sisters; and her twin brother.

Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Children’s Medical Center https://www.cottagehealth.org/childrens/donate/.