Sidney Sterling Neblett

Sidney Sterling Neblett was born September 25, 1929 to Sidney and Augustine Neblett, in Long Beach, CA, the oldest of five siblings. He graduated from Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles, CA, and continued his education at Hampton Sydney College in Virginia for two years before returning to California and joining the Marines in 1948. Sidney entered the Naval Air Training program at Pensacola, FL, in 1951 and received his wings in June 1953, flying with the Marines as a Second Lieutenant. While serving a tour of duty in South Korea, his Douglas AD-4B Skyraider had engine failure and he was forced to make an emergency landing in a rice paddy. At the end of the Korean War, in 1954, he flew a Top-Secret clearance mission from Atsugi, Japan.

After leaving active duty, Sidney continued his education at the University of Southern California, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1959, and his Master of Science in Geology in 1967. Sidney married Sue Wilson in 1961, and their son Sam was born in 1962, and son Bill in 1966. He continued flying in the Marine Reserves until retiring in 1965 as a Captain in the United States Marines Corps.

A PROUD MARINE, ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE, SEMPER FI!

In 1964, Sidney began his career as an Engineering Geologist with certifications in Orange and Los Angeles County, and was certified as a duly Registered Geologist in both the State of California and Idaho. In April 1976, he was named Executive Vice President of Pacific Soils Engineering Inc, Harbor City, CA. He developed a reputation within the earthwork construction industry as a specialist in problem solving during mass grading operations and difficult landslides studies. He became President of Pacific Soils Engineering Inc, and in 1995 he retired as President, Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation.

In 1996, Sterling married Dorothy Noble Emken and moved to Orange Park Acres. In 1997, Sidney founded Neblett & Associates, Inc, a Consulting Engineers and Geologist Company comprised of soils engineers and geologists capable of providing geotechnical, geologic, geophysical, hydrologic and related services. Sidney served as President until retiring in 2009 at the age of 80.

Over the years Sterling enjoyed flying his Cessna 182, building his home in Lake Tahoe and vacationing at his condo in Maui. He enjoyed traveling with Dorothy, cruising with family and friends, and opening his OPA home to many charitable events. Sterling enjoyed attending Marine Aviation reunions and USC football games—Fight On!

Sterling is survived by his loving wife Dorothy; stepdaughter Elizabeth Emken Swartz and her husband Craig, and stepson Eric Douglas Emken and his wife Merrell. He was a proud Papa to his step-grandchildren Alexander Swartz, Hayleigh Swartz, Emmaleigh Swartz, and Axel Emken.

He is survived by his sister Jean Smith, brothers Richard (Georgia) and William (Carol); nephew Doug Dybdahl (Michelle), nieces Holly Kerl, Karen Crouse (Jim), Alana Wolfe (Gerald), Kim Neblett, Tracey Olszeweski (Andrzej) and many grand nieces and nephews. Sterling is predeceased by his first wife, Sue Wilson Neblett (1990), sons Sam Neblett (2004) and Bill Neblett (2022) and his sister Kathleen Fairbanks (2022).

Sterling’s family remains forever grateful to Francisco Luna for providing physical therapy and thoughtful daily care over the past four years.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana. Viewing reception 11:30am to 12:30pm, funeral service 12:30pm to 1:30pm, followed by a graveside service.