Toby,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Sending you lots of hugs.
Maria

I first met Jeff when he joined the School of HRT at UNO in the late 1980s. Within a few years he was selected as the Director of the HRT Program and led the School for the next 15 years. He was a very capable administrator and I feel that it was during his tenure that the HRT School reached its greatest achievements. He selected a group of faculty who were among the best in the field and led us through accreditation (a big deal!!). Perhaps his greatest achievement was raising the funds to name the School after the great hospitality visionary of New Orleans, Lester E. Kabacoff. I remember those days when we all functioned like a well-oiled machine and achieved a top 20 ranking among HRT Programs in the US.
Jeff and Toby hosted an annual Crawfish Boil for the HRT Faculty and thus we got to know his grown up kids who were visiting and they got to meet our children. My wife Elen and our kids remember him fondly. I will always remember him as a great leader and as a friend.
He was also a talented fisherman and I have been fishing with him on his boat and we always came back with plenty of fish!! In the 1990s we were invited to Belize to provide Tourism Consulting for the Ministry of Tourism and one of our visits included a float down the Belize River where, much to the amazement of the locals, Jeff caught a few of the really elusive fish and we returned to our forest lodge with enough fish for dinner for eight!!

Elen and our daughters join me in expressing our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Toby, Lane and family, and to Stephanie. May he forever Rest in Peace.

My dad was an extraordinary man in many ways. What often was not displayed was felt deeply within. I admired his tenacity and ambition. My fondest memories were at my first home on Comet St. where he build us a treehouse, filleted fish in the driveway, and helped us build (yes) our first and only snowman (snowperson). Rides in the Fiat, trips to Destin and Point Clear. I developed a love of fine food and cooking from the experiences I shared with my dad during his days at The Pontchartrain Hotel, where he often brought me on Sundays. We visited all of the departments, most importantly the bakery where their famous blueberry muffins were prepared fresh daily. The smell was an olfactory sensation! Dad checked in with each department staff with a smile and kind words. The best part was going back to his office where we had room service. The best grits in the city! Such fond memories of our times there. Mardi Gras, the residents, and the loyal staff.

After moving, then, you and mom returned to New Orleans, we had the opportunity to share a different kind of connection. The love of the outdoors. You came to Colorado many times to visit and we enjoyed our time in the mountains and on the waters.

And then you met another Jeff. The one who would be my husband and thus established a very special bond for all of us. He is here with you in the memories and thoughts that I share.

Dad, you taught me so much, shared graciously, and lived a full, vibrant life. "Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me." (Three Dog Night) Rest in peace, Captain.

Your daughter,

Steph