Gregory James Hebert, 62, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. Diagnosed on June 3, 2021 with a very aggressive glioblastoma stage four brain tumor, he fought valiantly to overcome this monster cancer with strength and fortitude, he was initially given only two weeks to live. However, his resection surgery and following treatment allowed him 7.5 months with his family, surrounded by love and care.
With a passion for environmental conservation, Greg earned his Master of Landscape Architecture from University of Colorado Denver in 1985. A Denver oil recession led him to Coronado in 1987 where he joined forces with Deweese-Burton Landscape Architects of Del Mar, California. Working for two years as a draftsman on the landscape project of Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa in Rancho Santa Fe helped launch his solo career. Greg specialized in designing with an awareness towards the environment, using drought resistant planting and materials for sustainability. He had a passion for creating historic landscapes relevant to the structure’s architectural history and enjoyed opportunities to research and design while updating the design to fit current lifestyle trends. He worked closely with his clients to create landscapes that made them happy and fit uniquely to their lifestyles. He won several design awards during his career including a Grand Orchid in 2016 for the Saint Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Oceanside, California, and the Rancho Santa Fe Association’s Lily Award for excellence in architecture in the tradition of historic Rancho Santa Fe. His residential landscape designs were featured in several San Diego Home and Garden Magazine’s Garden of the Year issues, and won the 2015 Garden of the Year award for residential design. Greg regularly donated his design services towards causes he was passionate about. He worked with Generate Hope on a historic garden renovation project to support solace and encouragement to young women coming out of the human trafficking trade. Greg Hebert’s Landscape Architecture firm will continue under the direction of long-time associates, Mark Fuerte and Gail Zerbe.
Born March 23, 1959 into a loving and close knit Italian/French family in Denver to Catherine Veraldi and George Hebert, Greg resided in Coronado, with wife of 30 years Valerie Rosenthal Hebert. He is survived by his wife, Valerie; sons Andrew and Kyle Hebert; his brother, Grant Hebert; nieces and nephews, Roy Hebert, Aubrey Hebert, Julia (Eric) Moss, Morgan Gautho, Claire Gautho, Christopher Rosenthal; mother-in-law Elizabeth Lawrence. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and all-around super human being; his passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Greg’s greatest loves included spending time with family, Italian cooking, gardening and the outdoors, hiking and skiing in the mountains of Colorado, dog walks around Coronado with wife Valerie, bike rides, happy hours and time spent with family and friends. Greg was a friend to all who knew him.
An upcoming memorial service will be held at Nativity Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Fe followed by a celebration of life.