Emil A. Yappert
Obituary
Emil A. Yappert passed away peacefully at his home February 27, 2026 at the age of 93.
Emil was born on December 6, 1932, at the old Watsonville Hospital on E. Beach Street. His parents were Emil Yappert, born in Switzerland, and Josephine Spinetti Yappert, born in Italy. His parents were farmers in the Springfield district of Monterey County, raising artichokes and brussels sprouts.
As a youth, Emil attended the two-room Springfield Grammar School near Moss Landing. Emil graduated from Watsonville High School in 1952. He was named 1950 Monterey County 4H All-star, 1951 FFA State Farmer, and was a member of WHS' 1951 CCAL championship football team.
He attended Hartnell College and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1955 with a BS in Crop Science. He served in the U. S. Army from 1956 to 1958 in Germany. Emil worked most of his life in agriculture, selling agricultural supplies to farmers, nurseries and golf courses.
He had 4 children from his first marriage: Emil Jr. (Lisa) of Fort Collins, CO, Lisa Garcia (Richard) of Watsonville, Heidi Yappert (Mike) of Santa Cruz and Craig Yappert (Zahra) of San Francisco.
In 1973 he married Miyoko Kawano, who died in 2009. He had two stepsons, Mark of Henderson, NV, and Scott of Gilroy. In 2010 he married Virginia Childs, who died in 2019. This marriage added 2 more stepsons, Kevin (Allison) of Vermont, and Matt of McKinney, TX.
Retirement afforded Emil the opportunity to indulge his love of travel. He and Ginny visited all 50 states and every Canadian province during the course of several long road trips.
Emil is survived by his sister, Norma Sprague (Warren) of Sun City West, 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass and luncheon reception will be held at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church, 527 Corralitos Road, Watsonville on April 1, 2026, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Emil's favorite charity, Second Harvest of Santa Cruz.
Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
Published in The Pajaronian · March 23, 2026