Jack Baskin, Santa Cruz Philanthropist And Engineer, Dies At 100

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Jack Baskin — a well-known Central Coast philantrophist, engineer and affordable housing developer — has died at 100 years old.

"This past weekend, our community lost a man of great vision, care and generosity," the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County said in a bulletin about Baskin, who served as the second president on the organization's board. "From affordable housing to philanthropy, Jack Baskin left an imprint on the Monterey Bay like few others."

He wrote a $1 million check to help the foundation build its office, named the Jack and Peggy Baskin Center for Philanthropy.

Baskin, the namesake of the University of California, Santa Cruz engineering school, established a $5 million grant that was used to build the school, according to a bio posted on the Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation website. He gave nearly $15 million to the campus over the years.

Baskin built the first low-income housing center in San Francisco, the San Lorenzo Park Apartments in Santa Cruz and thousands of other low-income and senior home projects, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported.

He and his wife, Peggy Baskin, founded the Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation in 2007. The foundation offers a scholarship program and grant opportunities, prioritizing education access, and women and girls, according to its website.

Baskin lived in Santa Cruz for the last 40 years of his life, his bio said. He died Sunday at home, surrounded by family.

Baskin's memorial is planned Saturday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m., at the Cabrillo College Samper Recital Hall (6500 Soquel Dr.). A reception will follow at Sesnon House, also located on the campus.