Jeff was born in Duluth, MN in 1943 and moved to Richmond CA as an infant with his mother and sister. His mother married Charles Rich and the family moved to Visalia where Jeff spent his childhood and teenage years, graduating from Mount Whitney High School.
He went on to Cal Berkeley and after graduating, joined the Peace Corp and was sent to the Marshall Islands. He was then drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam war and gave his service as a medic at Camp Zama in Japan. After his military service, Jeff got a master’s degree in public health from UCLA and worked as an RN.
In 1994, he met Sheila and they were married in 1998. Jeff and Sheila enjoyed many wonderful trips around the world to the Middle East, the UK where Sheila is from, and other parts of Europe. They were involved with St. John Fisher as educators and parishioners and Jeff’s faith was a central and driving force in his life. He had an amazing baritone voice and loved the community created by singing, especially in church.
Jeff will be fondly remembered for his baking skills (which he passed down to many of his grandchildren) especially his Christmas biscotti which was revered and enjoyed throughout the South Bay. He also was a poet and avid reader who enjoyed a good debate and deep conversation.
Jeff is survived by his wife Sheila, his cousin Patty and her husband Russ, as well as friends, grandchildren and members of Sheila’s family.
