Hermosa Beach Man, Oldest Graduate in USC History Dies Months after Graduation

HERMOSA BEACH, CA -- A Hermosa Beach man who became the oldest graduate in USC history last May has died, the university announced.

Alfonso Gonzales died at the age of 96 on Dec. 27 at his home in Hermosa Beach. He is survived by four generations of nieces and nephews.

Gonzales received his bachelor of science degree in zoology, a degree the university stopped offering years ago, nearly 70 years after he set foot on campus. Gonzalez thought he had graduated in 1953 but found out he was one unit shy of a degree when relatives approached the university to obtain a copy of his diploma.

When he found out, Gonzales was determined to earn his degree.

“He just said, ‘I’ll do whatever USC says I need to do to get my degree,’” his nephew Mario Gonzales told USC News.

The university was on board. Professors decided to craft a one-unit independent study course just for Gonzalez. The USC Davis School of Gerontology helped design the course, featuring video, reading assignments and visits to gerontology classes on the topic of autobiographies and how people recast their own stories across lifespans.

"What he's doing is setting an incredibly positive example for other adults in America and around the world," said Pinchas Cohen, dean of the USC Davis School of Gerontology. "He embodies the fact that learning opportunities never stop. People can develop new skills and grow at any age."

Like many in his generation, Gonzalez started college as a combat veteran. A graduate of Redondo Union High School, Gonzales enlisted, and was deployed to Japan as a U.S. Marine Corps medic treating the wounded in the field.

“I was just an ordinary GI; I wasn’t a hero or anything,” he told USC News.

A native of Lompoc, Gonzales started a soil company called Compo-Loam in 1953, while still attending USC. He ran the company for 55 years, retiring in 2008 at age 88.

According to the university, while taking his one-credit course and visiting USC classes, Gonzales spoke to students about the dangers of smoking -- a habit he kicked in 1980 -- and gave them advice on healthy living, and encouraged them to take advantage of their education.

"Don't forget that you're going to be our future leaders," Gonzales said. "You're needed in our society. You'll change America -- but don't change it too much. We've got something nice here."

-- Patch Editor Paige Austin and City News Service contributed to this report. Photo by Gus Ruelas courtesy of USC.