Jeffrey Alan Gutt

Jeffrey Gutt: Enjoying the Simple Things in Life Born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan, Jeffrey had two lifelong loves to which he forever remained true: Baseball and his high school sweetheart, Melissa. He met his future wife in 8th grade at St. Anselm School, garnering attention for his style and three-point shots on the basketball court. Jeff learned baseball fundamentals early on from his dad and uncles. He was always playing a sport, whether it was baseball, basketball, softball, football or hockey, with his brother (Scot), cousins, and many friends. They deemed him “vid-e-ette” for his ability to beat almost any video game they put in front of him in record time. Graduating from Detroit Catholic Central HS (Class of ’93), Jeff was a letterman member of district champion baseball and basketball teams and was awarded All-Catholic, All-District and All-League recognition. A senior year highlight was receiving his All-Catholic award on the field prior to playing in the Catholic League Championship game at Tiger Stadium. Jeff earned his degree in Business Administration on a four-year baseball scholarship at Madonna University. Nicknamed “Diesel” due to his size and power at 6’4, he was most noted for his outstanding defensive ability as a first baseman. The Diesel contributed to his team winning three conference championships. After college he excelled at playing competitive softball and enjoyed mentoring high school baseball players as assistant coach at Gabriel Richard. During his tenure they were #1-rated Div-3 team in the state in 2002. Jeff applied lessons from the ball field to other areas of life, especially his job. He was commended for his impeccable attendance record, strong work ethic, integrity, and ability to keep cool under stress. His most memorable job was as a Marketing intern for the Bowie Baysox AA baseball team in Maryland where he worked with their mascot, Louie. He got a kick out of getting his picture taken with team mascots from any sport. He was a collector of bobble-heads and college baseball shirts, and relished touring ballparks around the US. The “big guy”’s life revolved around sports, music, family and friends. He was known in his Pacific Beach, CA neighborhood as a dedicated runner, jogging with his dog Blue every day rain or shine. In addition to spectating at sports events, Jeff was an avid concert-goer, a drum student, a trivia aficionado, a rollercoaster rider and an animal lover. Jeff’s Grandma Z fondly remarks how he loved to eat. Some favorites were: His mom’s stuffed cabbage, homemade nachos, Little Caesar’s & Buddy’s pizza, Senate coney dogs, Dirty Bird’s wings, and Perry’s Diner pancakes. He also could cook up a mean slab of ribs! Jeff was a great secret-keeper and greeting card selector. He loved surprises, celebrating birthdays, and Halloween. Being very close with his parents he cherished holidays and trips with them, and annual events with family & friends in Detroit, Las Vegas, Annapolis, and San Diego. He was an instigator of fun and perpetuator of many inside jokes. His fun-loving, good-natured spirit is kept vibrantly alive by the sound of his machine-gun-laugh and infinite amount of fond memories collected in the hearts of all who are blessed to know him. San Diego Zoo Check Payable to: San Diego Zoo (Check Memo: “Rhino Rescue - In Memory of Jeffrey Gutt”) San Diego Zoo PO Box 120551 San Diego, CA 92112 Contact: Lacey Lee (619) 685-3250 [email protected] Online form: https://secure3.convio.net/sdzoo/site/Donation2?5780.donation=form1&df_id=5780 UCLA Brain Tumor Program Check Payable to: UCLA Foundation (Check Memo: “Fund# 60358O - In Memory of Jeffrey Gutt”) UCLA Neurosurgery Wasserman Bldg 300 Stein Plaza, Ste 562 Los Angeles, CA 90095 Contact: Nushie Gharib (310) 267-9447 [email protected] Online form: https://giving.ucla.edu/neurosurgery/BrainTumorResearchProgram (UCLA Brain Tumor Program / Linda M. Liau MD PhD)