honey

I harvested honey this weekend. It was the first time I harvested honey without Jeff. But I feel like he was there with me, joking with me by blowing leaves into the honey every few minutes. It was bittersweet for sure. But definitely the least messy harvest I have ever done! I got quite a laugh out of that- I always thought it had to be messy, that's just how it goes. Now I think that was just a fact of harvesting with Jeff- cleaning up my kitchen for a week afterward.
I miss him and think of him often......
Thank you Jeff for everything, including the messes we used to make with honey.

Jeff Maurer

hi my name is jo-lynne and i was the one climbing with jeff when he died. i am sorry i did not write earlier. things have been hard, and the last thing i wanted to do was sit in front of a computer. i also wish i had talked at the memorial, but i didn't get up the nerve until the end when pete ended it. so here i am now.
i wrote a short bit for supertopo yesterday and then i have a bit more for you all.
here it is...
it has been almost two months since jeff's death and i still am processing it.
i should have told the story weeks ago, but where would i begin?
there are so many details that are important to me...it feels like the story could go on forever.
i don't really want to sit in front of this computer on a beautiful day, so i will make it short.
it was super windy that day, and we talked of not climbing, but the wind was out of the west, and once we dropped below the plateau we were protected, and decided to go on.
there was a party just starting at the base of the climb as we came down the decent. at the base of the third pillar to the right of the regular start, jeff eyed some cracks that looked pretty. we debated climbing them and looked at our topos and hastily thought it was the crack system for linticular limbo. we debated climbing this route...only one star, only slightly harder. we thought that there would be two more parties coming down to climb, and didn't really want to be in the middle of a bunch of people.
jeff was chomping at the bit to climb, and i grabbed a flat rock at the base and flipped it to just make a quick and clear decision.
jeff started climbing and about 40 feet up, maybe more, the crack split. one direction was a steep crack to the left that jeff felt must be hard 5.10, the other direction was a lower angle slab with a thinner seam.
we both took out our topos at this point and realized we had misread them in our haste and we were not on linticular limbo. at this point i really wanted jeff to come down, the second for the other party was leaving the base and i really don't like climbing into the unknown, but i didn't say anything. jeff felt like the lower angle slab climbing wasn't bad and headed out in that direction. he told me to inform him at half rope, and he would make a decision then.
soon after this i saw rocks coming down. at the time i thought that they were rocks that jeff knocked off. i think i stepped to the side out of the rockfall zone, and could no longer see jeff. soon after jeff said something. my memory has created it to be "woah", and i felt the rope go slack. i felt two pieces pop, and watched the last 7 feet of the fall to the ground as a blur. i expected jeff to pop up and say "holy shit". he was unconscious, i yelled for help, and i really can't write anymore about that part at this time.
as the weeks pass i am still unlocking pieces of the puzzle. i do not know why they are important to me, nothing can reverse jeff's death, and that is all i want.
i guess the thing i realized was that none of the entries mentioned rockfall. it could have been from the top of the route, or something that jeff knocked loose while he was climbing, but jeff was having no problems with the climbing, and did not expect to fall.
the two pieces that pulled were a trango 1" piece (similar to a .5 bd) and a metoulious purple 0. he had three other pieces in the crack, a metoulious yellow 2, bd .75, bd .4.
from looking at the rope i am guessing jeff was ~70 feet up. i keep on trying to look at what distances are, and i realize that in the mountains space is hard to judge. i am guessing this distance based on where there was blood on my end of the rope, and loosely measuring that. i don't really remember getting over to him and if i had to let out rope to do that.
as all hallows eve approaches thoughts of the dead are closer.
if anyone has any questions or thoughts feel free to contact me. i've got to go.
jo-lynne
the preceding is what i posted on supertopos.
for all of you who knew and loved jeff, i feel i need to give a few more details.
jeff was wearing a classic dark blue wool shirt.
the place were we were was incredibly beautiful. a striking granite prow above. an amazing view of mono lake.
jeff and i have an equal stubbornness about cell phones and neither of us had one. the other party there, joe and cathy from alaska, said that they usually brought their phone on climbs, but did not bring it that day. regardless the party at the top had a cell phone, but could not get reception. i was grateful that our stubbornness was not what kept us from getting help sooner. i was also grateful i was not trying to mess with technology and having to break the news to people sitting on a cell phone in the mountains.
the last thing jeff ate was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the trail heading up to the plateau.
as we descended the ridge down to the base of the climb jeff dropped his beanie.
he told me "i casually put my beanie in my pocket as we were coming down here, do you mind if i go look for it?" or something like that...he definitely said casually...
i stood at the base of the route watching as he energetically hopped through the talus, and eventually held the gray beanie up triumphantly.
jeff had intended to climb this route five years previously with our friend eliza. it was too windy that day and they turned around.
jeff and i were supposed to leave at 6:45 that morning to head out to the climb. jeff was racing around and 20 minutes late. for some reason this pissed me off more than it normally would. it did mean in the end that we had to pass two parties on the trail, which i am not overly fond of. we also were then behind the alaskans. weeks later my friend paul mentioned that jeff's watch alarm went off at 6:35. i can't help but to be a little annoyed that he thought that he could get ready in 10 minutes!!! if jeff had only been on time maybe the accident wouldn't have happened at all. i am still a little pissed.
walking up the plateau i mentioned it was my mom's and my favorite great aunt josephine's birthday. aunt jo died a few years ago at the age of 95. jeff mentioned that it would be nice to live that long and have all of those amazing memories. i think that jeff's life was filled with amazing memories.
the day before jeff and i hung out at the paradise pools on the dana fork of the tuolumne in the afternoon. jeff had wanted to meet at 3:00 to go climbing, but i was tired. i had just climbed six days in a row and knew that the third pillar would be worth resting for. so we went to the river and stretched and talked. jeff told me that he had had a great day on friday. he had gone bouldering, ran up the lyle fork (he hadn't been running much with all the hiking he did for work), played ultimate, and went to the pirate party the youngsters on his crew had thrown.
jeff was one of the first people i saw when i got to tuolumne this summer. i had driven in late in the night, and woke up early excited to be there. the only person i saw up was parker and audrey and i went over to their cabin to say hello. jeff was soon there and he referred to us as the homeless people and we both swooped in to make some tea. jeff and i hung out that day for a little bit in the late morning at the paradise pools. i had just returned from taking care of my dad as he recovered from hip surgery, and had cared for my mom the fall before when she had crushed her vertebrae. jeff shared with me stories about caring for his dad this winter. it was nice to be able to connect with someone else who had been there. jeff stayed at the pools to stretch and i ran off to climb.
jeff and i had made "tentative" (his words he used later) climbing plans a few weeks before, but he never showed up since he hung out with kristen instead. i gave him shit, but i didn't mind. although we had talked about going climbing since the first time i met him, august 30th was the first time we ever went out together.
the first bird to come to the accident was a clark's nutcracker. they squawked around all day long.
jeff climbed beautifully that day. he made the terrain look easy. i do not know exactly what happened, but he never made any noise of fear. there was no screaming. i am guessing he was either knocked unconscious by falling rock and that is why he fell, or he broke off holds and hit his head on the way down. i say this because i have never fallen or seen anyone else fall without screaming.
because we were outside of the park, the rescue was in the mono county sheriff's district. because of the wind they were unable to get a helicopter to the site. i am guessing that jeff fell at 10:00-10:15, and the sheriff's department was informed by 12:00. i decided to leave jeff at 6:00-6:30. at the time this was difficult for me, but the next day i remembered him talking about how he disliked it when people wanted to eat dinner before dark, how he always wanted to be outside until the true end of the day.
the rescuers were unable to get down to jeff until the next morning and i like to think of jeff enjoying one more night under the stars.
predawn on the morning of the 31st i had been up most of the night, my mind swimming with images from the day before. "please" i asked, "just give me another image." there in my head popped jeff with big wings, looking back at them he said "check these things out!" and off he went running, presumably to learn to fly. in the days and weeks that followed when things are rough i conjure this image.
i have felt guilty for every little thing i said or did wrong that day, and am grateful at least that jeff was the one who approached me about climbing, and insisted on that route. the night before the climb i had my doubts about climbing, but i could not put my finger on what it was. a few weeks ago i was writing about all of the things i could have done that day, but in the end i could not imagine myself saying no to climbing a beautiful route in an amazing alpine setting, with jeff maurer an amazing human being.
that is all i have for now. if anyone has anymore questions i am ready to try to answer them, but i will say i don't get on the computer so often.
peace,
jo-lynne
mininomad@gmail.com

Thank you from Jeff's family

On behalf of Jeff's family I want to thank everyone who came to Mono Lake to celebrate his life. It was very meaningful for all of us, especially our parents, to see that Jeff had touched so many people. The stories that were shared, the music, the good food, and the companionship were exactly what we had hoped for, and I know Jeff would have enjoyed it as well. I only wish that I had been able to talk with each one of you directly, to hear some funny anecdote from one of his many adventures, or to learn again how his spirit of learning, giving, and having fun while doing everything made a difference to someone.

Thanks also to the folks in Davis who I had the pleasure to meet last Friday at N Street. More wonderful stories and memories to share. As I said at the celebration, he will be missed by many. But I know that the things that he worked so hard for will live on in everyone who knew him. For those who were unable to join us, below is the Hopi prayer that was printed on the back of the program. Every time I read it I know that his spirit lives on.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there
I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond's glint on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn's rain
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there
I did not die

Peter Maurer & the Maurer Family

Meditation Upon Death

THANATOPSIS

William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878)

To him who in the love of Nature holds

Communion with her visible forms, she speaks

A various language; for his gayer hours

She has a voice of gladness, and a smile

And eloquence of beauty, and she glides

Into his darker musings, with a mild

And healing sympathy, that steals away

Their sharpness, ere he is aware. When thoughts

Of the last bitter hour come like a blight

Over thy spirit, and sad images

Of the stern agony, and shroud, and pall,

And breathless darkness, and the narrow house,

Make thee to shudder and grow sick at heart;--

Go forth, under the open sky, and list

To Nature's teachings, while from all around--

Earth and her waters, and the depths of air--

Comes a still voice--Yet a few days, and thee

The all-beholding sun shall see no more

In all his course; nor yet in the cold ground,

Where thy pale form was laid with many tears,

Nor in the embrace of ocean, shall exist

Thy image. Earth, that nourish'd thee, shall claim

Thy growth, to be resolved to earth again,

And, lost each human trace, surrendering up

Thine individual being, shalt thou go

To mix for ever with the elements,

To be a brother to the insensible rock,

And to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain

Turns with his share, and treads upon. The oak

Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mould.

Yet not to thine eternal resting-place

Shalt thou retire alone, nor couldst thou wish

Couch more magnificent. Thou shalt lie down

With patriarchs of the infant world--with kings,

The powerful of the earth--the wise, the good,

Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past,

All in one mighty sepulchre. The hills

Rock-ribb'd and ancient as the sun,--the vales

Stretching in pensive quietness between;

The venerable woods; rivers that move

In majesty, and the complaining brooks

That make the meadows green; and, pour'd round all,

Old Ocean's grey and melancholy waste,--

Are but the solemn decorations all

Of the great tomb of man. The golden sun,

The planets, all the infinite host of heaven,

Are shining on the sad abodes of death,

Through the still lapse of ages. All that tread

The globe are but a handful to the tribes

That slumber in its bosom.--Take the wings

Of morning, pierce the Barcan wilderness,

Or lose thyself in the continuous woods

Where rolls the Oregon and hears no sound

Save his own dashings--yet the dead are there:

And millions in those solitudes, since first

The flight of years began, have laid them down

In their last sleep--the dead reign there alone.

So shalt thou rest: and what if thou withdraw

In silence from the living, and no friend

Take note of thy departure? All that breathe

Will share thy destiny. The gay will laugh

When thou art gone, the solemn brood of care

Plod on, and each one as before will chase

His favourite phantom; yet all these shall leave

Their mirth and their employments, and shall come

And make their bed with thee. As the long train

Of ages glides away, the sons of men,

The youth in life's green spring, and he who goes

In the full strength of years, matron and maid,

The speechless babe, and the gray-headed man--

Shall one by one be gathered to thy side

By those who in their turn shall follow them.

So live, that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan which moves

To that mysterious realm where each shall take

His chamber in the silent halls of death,

Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,

Scourged by his dungeon; but, sustain'd and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.

"Thanatopsis" is reprinted from Yale Book of American Verse. Ed. Thomas R. Lounsbury. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1912.

I feel like this elegy reflects the way that Jeff lived his life and reminds us that we must live our lives to the fullest. I hope to read it tomorrow at the gathering in Davis. Tree Kilpatrick.

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