Wylie John Plummer

Wylie Plummer entered the world on March 1st, 1955, in Coalinga, CA. The family soon moved to Sunnyvale, CA, where he enjoyed an idyllic childhood playing kick the can, baseball, and riding his bike all over town. As a teenager, he moved to Poway, CA, and graduated from Poway High School.

He got a degree in Electrical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he grew out his hair, wore tube socks, and generally enjoyed all that the 1970s had to offer.

He began his career in Silicon Valley, being recruited for various jobs in the semiconductor industry. His true big break in life came in 1979 when he met the love of his life, Andrea, on a blind date. They married the following year and had three wonderful children together.

Wylie was not a man to pass up an opportunity, so when he saw his shot to start his own semiconductor business, he jumped in with both feet. He was blessed with success and retired at the age of 46 because he wanted to experience everything that life had to offer. And did he ever.

He filled his early retirement by doting on his children and improving his golf game. Later, he travelled the world with his wife, and took up a variety of hobbies—brewing beer, photography, karaoke, birdwatching, and anything else that brought him joy. In his later years, he developed a passion for backpacking. One of his greatest joys was experiencing all the beauty that nature had to offer with Andrea, his faithful hiking partner, by his side. Some of his backpacking highlights included exploring the Grand Canyon, completing the John Muir Trail (including summiting Mt. Whitney), and his treks to Annapurna and Mt. Everest base camps.

He left this world too soon on February 14th, 2023, after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his wife and children when he started his next great adventure. He will be remembered most for his kind and gentle way, his commitment to living life to the fullest, his intellect and insatiable curiosity, and the love he had for his family. Though he will be dearly missed, all those who loved him take comfort in knowing that he extracted so much joy from his 67 years.

Wylie was not a man of many words, but he was endlessly wise. He once said that the purpose of life was to have the best life possible without stepping on anyone else’s opportunity to do the same. Mission achieved, Wylie. See you over the next ridge.

He was preceded in death by his adoring parents, Sue and Cliff. He is survived by his devoted wife, Andrea, and their children and spouses, Kellan (Carolyn), Robin (Evie), and Caitlin (Byron), and his sisters Cindy (Russ), and Sheri. He also leaves behind eight beautiful grandchildren, whom he played with endlessly – Oakley, Wylie, Jr., Madison, Trace, Vera, Livia, Dahlia, and Rae.

A private celebration of life will be held this summer. If you wish to honor his memory, please consider donating blood, or making a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sorrentovalleychapel.com for the Plummer family.