Herbert Stanley Briggin

11/3/29 - 6/26/26

Long-term Belvedere resident Herbert “Herb” Briggin passed away peacefully at Drake Terrace, San Rafael, surrounded by family on June 26, 2026, at the age of 96.

Born on November 3, 1929, in New York City, Herb grew up in Larchmont, New York, with his younger sister, Barbara, and younger brother, Cliff. He graduated from Phillips Academy Andover and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.

During the Korean War, Herb enlisted in the U.S. Army and was selected for intelligence work. After studying Russian at the Army Language School in Monterey, California, he served at the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C., translating Russian during the early years of the Cold War. While in Washington, he and his first wife, Lorinda Knight, welcomed their daughter, Laura.

The family later moved to Southern California, where sons Stanley and Cliff were born. Herb built a successful career in broadcasting with Golden West Broadcasting, beginning in radio sales before advancing to management positions in Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. He later served as general manager of KSFO radio.

Herb’s second career was in sports marketing, where he worked with Matt Levine on projects for the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Golden State Warriors, and as part of the startup marketing team for the San Jose Sharks.

In 1989, Herb married Anne Schmitt, beginning a 37-year loving partnership filled with family, travel, and adventure. During their first year of retirement, they spent nine months traveling through Europe, ending with a three-month stint teaching marketing at the Estonian Business School in Tallinn.

Standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall, with his trademark bushy eyebrows, Herb was known for his intelligence, curiosity, kindness, wit, and generous spirit. He loved hiking, music, history, the ocean, and Marin County. He founded a men’s book club, enjoyed lively conversation, and had a gift for making people feel welcome.

Herb was preceded in death by his son Stanley and his sister Barbara. He is survived by his wife, Anne; his brother, Cliff (Irene); his children, Laura and Cliff (Nancy); his stepchildren, Amy Faulkner (Andrew), Eric Schmitt (Felice), and Will Schmitt (Heng-Jin); eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, loyal friend, and a man whose warmth, humor, and lifelong curiosity enriched the lives of all who knew him.

There will be a private family gathering to celebrate Herb’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Herb’s memory to World Central Kitchen.