Memorial for Jeff in Davis

Hi friends of Jeff Maurer,

Please help spread the word that N Street is hosting a memorial for Jeff this Friday night, Oct., 2 at 7 pm in Davis at the N Street Co-housing Community (716 N Street, Davis, CA). Everyone is welcome and we need your help to spread the word to Jeff's circle of friends in the region, especially those who weren't able to make the Mono Lake event.
The event will be pretty ad hoc, but there will be time for sharing memories at 7 pm. We will hang out afterwards, eating and enjoying company as we remember Jeff in a less formal process.Thank you for spreading the word. We look forward to seeing you then.

Kevin Wolf
(530)758-4211

You're Secret's Safe with Me

All,

I first met Jeff in 1994, as a young field biologist in the Goshute Mountains of Nevada.  The following summer, he hired me to study peregrines and goshawks with him in Yosemite.  It was an unforgettable summer.  Some of my most powerful memories are of Jeff showing me the magical spots that he had found during his time in the park – old red fir stands, flower covered meadows, amazing vantage points, and skinny dipping holes.  I remember the excitement in his eyes as he’d look back over his shoulder and tell me that we were almost there.  He was frequently looking over his shoulder at me – he glided through the forest, and I often found myself really pushing to keep up with him.  I doubt I’ll ever be that strong again. 

I managed to write and record a song this weekend in honor of Jeff and the experiences we shared.  Hope you enjoy it.

http://entomology.wisc.edu/~tdmeehan/song.mp3

Tim Meehan

Your Secret’s Safe with Me

By Tim Meehan for Jeff Maurer

Lead me by the hand

Lead me by the hand

Into a magic land

Walking side by side

Stretch to match your stride

Eyes are open wide

Chorus:  Big broad smile

You knew it all the while

A meadow in full bloom

Bringing me to see

Where you go to be free

Your secret’s safe with me

A silent peaceful place

A silent peaceful place

I find in your embrace

Cool water from the spring

The thrush and sparrow sing

A goshawk on the wing

Chorus

Stare up through the trees

Through the red fir trees

Towering over you and me

Listen to the wind

Listen to the wind

The whisper of a friend

Chorus

Last weekend I attended Jeff Maurer’s memorial overlooking Mono Lake on the east side of the Sierra. 

I wondered why I felt so compelled to be there for a person I knew more as an acquaintance than a friend.  How could there be such a strong connection?  Clearly, any of the 200 people that were there could answer that question.  You only had to meet Jeff once to feel it.  His love for living was simply contagious. 

Though I knew Jeff climbed and we had even talked of doing some climbing together, I always thought of him as a conservationist.  When I heard that Jeff died climbing it was difficult to accept and understand.  But, not really.  The history of climbing and the protection of wild places are closely linked.

John Muir trekked the Sierra ascending many of its peaks and later David Brower made first ascents in Yosemite Valley and on Sierra peaks.  Margaret Farquer was the first president of the Sierra Nevada Section of the American Alpine Club.  And, more recently Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tomkins, Royal Robbins and Galen Rowell acted to protect our remaining wilderness heritage.

Climbing demands and develops focus, drive and determination. It imbues a love and deep understanding of our wild places.  It is precisely these attributes that have contributed to the success of the wilderness movement and that tradition continues.

Jeff was certainly a part of that and I love him for it. 

My deepest sympathies to his family and all of his friends.

Bob Schneider

Thank You

I just wanted to thank everyone that was involved with Jeff's memorial service at Mono Lake. It was truly a beautiful service, and the love and energy there for Jeff was incredibly present and evident. The myriad stories, songs, and poetry were so moving and heartfelt, thank you so much everyone for sharing.

Michelle

Memories, memories

It will take some time to accept that Jeff is gone, but these are some precious memories I will hang on to. When I first met him (at a Mono basin Chautauqua), I remember telling him it was like finding an old friend that I'd had all along but didn't know yet. Kinda strange, but we had all these common connections, mutual friends, and experiences, they just hadn't been shared together. In the winter of 2004-05 Jeff came over to live in Lee Vining at the old house of Dave and Sally Gaines, when the Mono Lake Comm was first getting started. Many old memories there too. I came over for dinner and played guitar with Jeff (and Sacha there too), sang some great songs. The keepsake I now have is a song I once knew but had forgotten that he scribbled out with some lyrics on the back of an envelope. Another time he came down and some of us went out to the hot springs in the snow, ended up having an epic snowball fight, laughing with each strike, that went on until our hands hurt from the cold. Later that spring, Jeff came out with us on a trip to the Amargosa River, camping in the desert, and exploring the strange river canyon that flows into Death Valley. It wasn't enough, and I am sad that there were not more of those times of friendship and fun, but happy that I got to know the old friend that I almost missed having. What a good man.

Peace to your soul,

Dave Herbst.

Mono Lake Bird Walk for Jeff Maurer

On Sunday there will be a bird walk by Mono Lake Committee and Forest Service. Friends and peers of Jeff's are invited to meet at 8am at Mono County Park.  I think it would be great for as many of Jeff's feathered friends as possible to join in!!  Dave Marquart will be the birder in charge and many of the Mono birders will attend. Hope to see you all there.

Karen Amstutz

sad to hear about Jeff

I was very sad to hear of Jeff's passing. Although I did not have the privilege of calling Jeff a close friend, I did have the opportunity to interact with him on numerous occasions, including playing Ultimate Frisbee and going on bird walks with him during chautauquas. It is clear to me that he touched many lives including my own. He was unwaveringly warm and friendly and great at infecting those around him with his interest in the natural world. I am saddened that I will not have the opportunity to interact with him or get to know him further. However, I am glad that in the wake of his passing, I can bear witness to the impact he has had on so many people and am assured that he made the most of his life as long as it lasted.

Jeff in Mexico

Photo taken during the project Jeff Veracruz River of Raptors in the 1999 season, I'm the one next door.
It was a pleasure to meet such excellent person, conveying joy for life, always remember it fondly.
Hugo Corzo

In remembrance of Jeff Maurer

Jeff Maurer was one of my first teachers at UC Davis and I can think of no better professor to experience as an incoming freshman. He taught my intro to Avian Sciences class. His class was by far my favorite class my first quarter at Davis. He sparked an enthusiasm in me that no other teacher could. His talks were fascinating and he was so knowledgeable. After that first quarter, I knew I had made the right choice of majoring in Avian Sciences. Later in my educational career at Davis, I had the opportunity to take another class with Jeff and I made sure it worked with my schedule. Although I only took two classes from him, Jeff was by far my favorite teacher at Davis. His passion for his work was second to none and he was a fantastic lecturer. I wish I had the opportunity to have a more personal relationship with Jeff. I'll always remember his smile. Thank you Jeff for solidifying my passion in birds. You're one in a million.

-Jon Vento
UC Davis Alumnus '09
B.S. Avian Sciences

Addresses

Given the outpouring of love on this blog, there surely will be a big turnout for the memorial celebration. May it be a spectacular eastern Sierra day with a beautiful sky and singing birds! Just passing along a few addresses for condolences, if you have some words to share and would rather not post them here, or if you can't make the memorial.

The Maurer family
c/o Peter Maurer
3460 Coon Hollow Rd
Placerville, CA 95667

Jeff's partner:
Kristin Ramsey
PO Box 282
El Portal, CA 95318

Memorial Celebration

Please join Jeff's family and friends in a memorial celebration Sunday, September 20, 2009 at the Mono Lake County Park in Lee Vining, beginning at 1:30pm

Jeff always loved a good gathering! Bring your stories and memories to share, and special Jeff mementos (pictures, poems, items) to display. He also enjoyed good food, so there will be a picnic on the grass or under the shade of the cottonwoods afterwards followed by some good socializing and play. Some food and drink will be provided, but if you are able, please bring a potluck dish, dessert, or bounty from the garden to share. Feel free to bring beer and wine if you’d like. Don’t forget musical instruments, binoculars, Frisbees and other toys. In keeping with his desire to make the smallest footprint, carpool if you can, bring your own table service if possible, along with blankets and lawn chairs. For further information, contact Peter Maurer at pnmaurer@live.com

Many people have asked about making a donation in Jeff’s name to one of the many organizations he championed. A special fund to continue his work with peregrine falcons has been established by the Yosemite Fund. Other groups include Yosemite Institute, Yosemite Association, Yosemite Fund, Mono Lake Committee, Peregrine Fund, and Point Reyes Bird Observatory. He also was active in the peace movement and supporting sustainable agriculture.

In Memory

I worked with Jeff on the Tuolumne River doing various surveys and it didn't take long to realize that he was one of those rare people who brought positve energy into every situation. When I heard of Jeff's accident, I was preparing for some work down in Poopenaut Valley... the very place I worked with Jeff just weeks ago. All day my thoughts of Jeff reminded me of the vast knowledge he had across so many disciplines, his love of life, and his bubbling, contagious, enthusiastic, positive personality.

On the hike up the hill out of Poopenaut, I felt the occaisional breeze of air move past me. I know it was Jeff passing me just like he did on every other hike we shared. What Jeff did for all living creatures, the work he started, and all who know him will agree that he will never be far from us.

Soar on Jeff. I will remember you on the wing beat of the bird, the buzz of the bee, the plop of the frog onto the water, the dancing figures on a Strawberry night and so many other memories.

Peace Brother,

Mike Horvath

a dream of Jeff

This may be a little more personal than I would normally post, but all of your stories have been so touching... and this dream was so beautiful I think it will help to share.

This past 11 months has brought some of the highest and lowest point of my life- my wedding, the unexpected death of my sister, my pregnancy, and now the death of my dear friend Jeff. Since my sister Alissa left us, I have often hoped for a dream in which I could connect with her. She has not yet been ready to see me, and I will wait for the time to come.

Monday night, I feel blessed to have been with Jeff. In my dream I was told that I could go see Jeff for a moment. I had many obstacles to overcome before I was able to find him, though now I can't recall what they all were. When I finally reached him, we sat in a dark and cozy little room together, talking and laughing. I told him about my job, the baby- things I had not yet had a chance to tell him about in life. I asked him questions about the day he left us, and he told me about how he had felt up on that rock. I told him I loved him, that I felt like I knew him forever, that he was a true, beautiful friend. I wanted to make sure he knew, but he told me he already did. Then it was time for him to leave me. We stood and hugged, and suddenly I was outside and he was the wind blowing through the trees.

I woke from the dream and began to sob, thankful for that moment with him, and for the beauty of that last image of Jeff becoming the wind.

laughing man

Jeff-

the beautiful Sycamore tree that has taught us all so much!

smiles and love and laugher and fun that you have brought to all our lives!

in the sierra on the mountain tops above the waterfalls on the cliffs soaring and singing loving and dancing... wherever I am you are tooo in my heart in my memories ....

my best teacher your words will be with me....

love amber

Celebrating Jeff!

It’s official that we’ll be celebrating Jeff’s outstanding life on the afternoon of Sunday 20 September, at the Mono County Park on the northeast shore of Mono Lake, north of Lee Vining.  (2:00 p.m., I believe)  Jeff’s brother Pete will start distributing a detailed invitation soon.

Hope to see you there!

-Pete Devine

From Jesus-David on 9/8/09

I'm so sad LB... I cannot believe this. I remember Jeff, mi amigo Mauer-Gómez, who taught me many things about life... things that I forget in the daily chaos of life despite I always remember him and refuse to think of him as gone. He's still in the Sierras where he found such a lovely paradise in the life he always loved. I was so happy to know he was well last time I was in Davis, and now I feel I missed my chance to visit him and see him again. Jeff gave me many gifts, without waiting for a birthday, he took me to pick up olives (the ultimate experience for an Andalusian like me, and something I never did in Spain!) he made salsa "pañales" excellent mermelade and many delicious breakfast with such a great sense of humor that I was never lonely while sharing that house with you and him.  Always inviting to chat and discuss life reflecting about marvelous "simple", but how important, experiences with nature and friends. Biking through town he will spot a hawk and open a new  world for you, always sharing and never showing off. And Jeff played the piano so many nights... generously and gracefully expecting nothing in exchange, like his friendship was. I can hear that music now...he even let me played the trumped with him not caring much for my poor and non-existent musical hear.  Last time we played soccer together in Davis, years ago now, we came across each other unexpectedly in this huge pick up game and stopping for a moment we hugged forgetting about the game. It was so long since I last saw him then, and it is more now.  Jeff was a man from another time, a relic of a renaissance and enlightment man with a passion for nature and friends. Excellent botanist and biologist, a musical man, and above all a true friend.  I miss him, but one day I'll visit him in Yosemite like I always wanted to do.

David

Naked Skiing on Pothole Dome

I met Jeff as a housemate in El Portal’s Hotel. Upstairs at the end of the hall. He was rarely there and had a lot of nature stuffed into that room. It was years later that I returned (subbing for Y.I.?) in the spring looking for someone to do a ski adventure with. We ended up heading toward Tuolumne Meadows, and after a night waiting for the shaky slabs to freeze, (and let us pass) we arrived in the meadow. Awesome weather, and Jeff would be off at the crack of dawn skate skiing to Cathedral and back before the snow softened too much and then joining more folks to make some Teleturns on  Pothole Dome, (what fun with the low leather boots and 200cm skiis).  As the day got warmer folks started ditching clothes and it wasn’t long before joyful turns were had in full Sierra sun. Jeff ‘s endless energy and smiles to go with it always made for an awesome adventure. Jeff got to share his connection to the natural world with so many. I feel blessed to have been one of them.

Kim Dunkley
Johnson, VT

The Sweet Honey Man

I spent most of Labor day clearing old lumber & debris from our yard, preparing a good space for bee-hives. Jeff was the man, years ago, who first sparked my interest in bee-keeping.

I first met him, and his rusty family-heirloom "blue" VW bug, working together at Yosemite Institute. Since then we have frolicked in the high country, shared many a pot-luck, danced wild and barefoot, and played Ultimate in unusual locations. Jeff was such a summer fixture in Tuolumne Meadows. Always enthusiastically engrossed in a frog study or goshawk project… Always willing to field endless questions about his work… Always showing up with huge hugs and joyful laughter. It is hard for me to imagine summers in Tuolumne without Jeff popping by our tent cabin, arriving serendipitously at the same swimming hole, or laughing around the campfire.

Most recently I was excited to haul gear for Jeff into one of his backcountry frog study sites. It was a blast to spend a day with him and his crew in the wilderness, hauling huge solar panels, elecrto-zappers, and other strange supplies. The hike-in was billed as “just a few miles… just a morning hop over the saddle, down to the lake and back”

The description was probably accurate, if you were Jeff Maurer. That man could move over granite like no other! But with a large group, hauling unusual chunks, we took most of the day. At the more-distant-than-expected lake we were rewarded with heartfelt thanks, big hugs, and a few of his legendary home-made “solar frog bars” for the hike back out. I was sad to leave….

Over the years Jeff would show up at our El Portal home, precisely at dinner time, with his glowing smile, sparkling laughing eyes, and a quart or 2 of golden honey in his hands… Over milky cups of chai, drizzled with the gift of honey from his bees, we discussed queens, extraction, honeycombs, head nets, and swarming behavior (…as well as peregrines, granite, Thai curries, Frisbee, Owl hooting, frogs, etc., etc.) I’ve been wanting to work with bees forever, and always knew that Jeff would be my local mentor. But with teaching, house projects, and family adventures, “beekeeping” never made it to the top of my to-do list. Now Jeff is gone, and among the confusing whirlpool of emotions, I feel both angry and distraught… angry at myself for procrastinating all these years, and so deeply saddened that I won’t be learning and sharing the bee-keeping art with him. But I also feel inspired. Inspired by Jeff’s spirit to finally make it happen! Inspired to stay connected to him through one of his passions, bee-keeping. I’m researching electric fences (bears visit us regularly), working with a Foresta beekeeper friend, and hoping to follow soon in Jeff’s footsteps. Every harvest from our hives will rekindle memories of Jeff Maurer, the sweet honey man. I look forward to tasting that sweetness!

Jeff Memories

Jeff…

Words are limiting at times like these. Seeing him here in pictures has sparked some. I knew Jeff for a long while on the periphery. We worked and socialized in the same circles. I came to Yosemite in 1999 and it seems like Jeff has always been there. I began hearing about him from mutual friends; friends who had crushes on him, others who admired his recycled life style. He was always revered as someone to go to with questions about birds. Slowly our circles became smaller. Our connection ultimately, birds. I consider him a mentor and friend. I am lucky enough to have been one who received a “Let’s go birding” from Jeff. We spent time at White Wolf bonding with the place. One favorite memory is when Jeff joined our staff campfire circle hangout when he was staying there for owl surveys. I said, “Jeff, I have to show you this feather I found.” I had spent much time wandering off the trails at White Wolf and one day followed a family of fledgling red-shouldered hawks through a wet stringer meadow. As I was watching my steps there right in front of me was a huge wing feather. I saved it for further reflection. Jeff for me was the kind of person I made efforts to glean knowledge from. One of those Yosemite icons I wanted to be around and share my giddiness for nature with. I brought him into my cabin and showed him the feather. He was satisfyingly excited and passionate. “Where did you get this?!” As he examined it he declared it a Great Grey Owl Feather. And then in his brilliant way he declared it a female Great Grey Owl Feather. I was struck with disbelief that he is so capable of knowing that, and soon moved to realizing that he has a magic few fully express.

This past week I have been recalling some memorable moments with Jeff from the Strawberry Music Festival, the Mono Lake Chautauqua and Yosemite. Too many to mention here. I have hugged my friends more. His passing is a sad reminder that life is so very ephemeral. My thoughts and hugs go out to his closest friends and family. Whenever I hang out in Upper Horse Meadow (which I do a lot thanks to Jeff), go birding, see an old blue Subaru or spend time with our mutual friends his spirit will be there. Yosemite and the Sierra has lost a unique and necessary advocate. His magic will be missed. When there is a memorial, I will be wearing a plaid button down shirt in his honor.

Kestrel

From Denise on 9/8/09

I worked as one of Jeff's crew members last summer. I have some photos that I would love to post. At this time I am sort of speechless, but I know that the things that Jeff taught me about the Sierras will have a lasting effect on me everyday. I used to call him Chief Maurer or the Pika Whisperer. Once when we were doing amphibian surveys, I watched him call to and lure a pika out from behind rocks in a talus field. It called back. Then he turned around, smiled, and just shrugged his shoulders like it was just another casual moment in his life. He was truly connected to the land and to the animals, and I know that the Sierras won't be the same without him around to care for, love, learn and teach about them.

I wish his family and friends all the best. 

Sincerely,

Denise DeCarion