I met Jeff after moving to San Francisco a few years ago and was able to enjoy his company on a few occassions, talking about sports, music, etc.  I remember having an epicly long conversation about headphones that I wish had been transcribed.  

One of the last times I hung out with Jeff was for the Primus NYE Drum Spectacular show from 2014.  After I had purchased my ticket, we found out my wife was pregnant so she couldn't make it to the show.  I knew Jeff was a big Primus fan and I asked if I could tag along with his crew.  He, of course, said yes and I got to hang out with him and his friends for the show.  

At one point in the show there was a guy dressed up in a Monkey outfit who was causing a commotion in our general area, knocking into people, flailing around, and just not someone you wanted in your vicinity as you are watching a show.  While most of us were telling the Monkey guy to chill out or else get out, Jeff showed the patience of actually talking with the guy and getting him to calm down by showing kindness.  It was a genuine and surprising way to go about it but it was the right way and it was Jeff's way.  He calmed the guy down and we all had a great show.

I know that Jeff was a big Primus fan and had seen many of their NYE shows. This show was perfect for Jeff, being a drummer, as it was a "Drum Spectacular" with an entire second set featuring dual drum kits with Tool's drummer being the second drummer.  I could tell that he was in heaven watching two master drummers playing Primus songs (plus a Hot for Teacher Van Halen cover right after it hit the new year).

I wish I got to spend more time with Jeff when he was here but at least I got to share that night with Jeff where he opened his arms to someone flying solo at a show and able to calm crazy monkey costume guys.

Jeff, you are sorely missed and we had a few cheers for you this past weekend to celebrate your 40th.

I know that you are sitting on the big drum kit in the sky.

Respect,

Al K. 

When I moved to the bay area in 2011, I was fortunate to get introduced to Jeff by the only person I'd known living out here at that time. As we hung out more frequently, I got to know Jeff as a great guy with many of the same interests.

Jeff was truly one of a kind. However, most importantly he was a very warm and thoughtful person. He always had a big smile and was a great conversationalist. Time would fly by as we would talk about the Giants and the greatest bands of all time. For me, it was really a blessing to be able to have this depth of conversation with a new friend, when most times I felt like a stranger in a strange land.

I truly believe those who have gone on from this world are still with us. They may not be here physically, however, their love they have filled us for years past continues to do so as we navigate this life.

I'd like to think this is true of Jeff. Someone who projected so much positive energy on this planet cannot easily be silenced. 

Jeff - I hope you're sitting in with Butch playing a sick Mountain Jam.

Love and miss ya, brother.

Craig 

. . . My wife and I made a bold move (job) 8 years ago from Chicago where I had spent my entire life and from where I thought I would never leave.   As an avid music fan and member of a music related website I knew of Jeff and knew that he lived in the Bay Area.  I reached out to him prior to moving basically indicating we were moving to his area of the world, knew no people, had no friends there and didn’t know much about the area.   Jeff was the first person we met when we finally landed in CA.   Believe we met the first week, maybe the second that we were here.   We first moved to peninsula and Jeff was happy to act as ambassador showing us a few local restaurants and bars where we spent time with him. We lived on the peninsula for just over a year, which was boring—we are city people—Jeff was our first and only friend during this time.  

We moved to SF and were lucky enough to buy a house in the Sunset.   To this day, other than the both of us, Jeff has spent more time, slept more nights, had more laughs and sat more hours on our couch than anyone else.  Wish that clock could still tick onwards.   We went to see live music (no surprise right?), drank some good beer, but mostly sat, listened to music and talked.  We talked about everything possible and got to know each other over the past 8 years so intimately, not sure how to describe it.   We discussed all things life and through those conversations, I feel like I know many of his friends and family whom I have never met.  During these conversations several themes/topics resonated, themes which are worth stating here in my opinion and in his honor:

-        Jeff cared for his family and was very proud to be an uncle

-        He enjoyed family camping trips on holiday weekend —he talked about it all the time

-        Jeff enjoyed playing pool and he thought he was better than me…. we argued this point frequently over many games

-        He was so grateful to his parents for encouraging him to be what he wanted… a drummer

-        Jeff spoke fondly of his time with his father especially when they worked together at the cable/telephone company they had

-        He truly enjoyed driving the truck.  Especially when kids would give him the ‘blow the horn” signal which he always obliged

-        Everyone who knows Jeff knows he was a drummer.  He told me recently    though how much he “hated” that most of the pictures of him behind his kit he was looking down… we laughed so hard at this revelation and I harassed him for weeks over it  

-        So much more could be added to this list  

We both shared a love for baseball.  Him a giants fan and me lifelong cubs.  It was so incredible watching him watch the Giants finally make it.  He enjoyed seeing baseball with his brother immensely.   This past season I harassed the heck out of him asking where the Giants were… and he kept telling me “just wait we are coming for you” and he was right.   My wife and I were lucky enough to be in Wrigley the first game of the Giants series and we didn’t speak much…kept looking at each other and hugging.   The feeling of Jeff was so intense.  Cubs won, but it was bittersweet—somehow I think Jeff would have been ok with it because we wanted to see the Cubs win it all together.   

Not Fade Away brother.   Will always be gr8ful for our time together. 

Respect,

David   

One of the strongest threads in my friendship with Jeff was our mutual interest in hitting the road and traveling small and great distances, to see our favorite bands whenever possible.
This is what you do, after a phat Phish show at Harvey's Outdoor Arena.
I somehow managed to get the guy at Seabright Brewery to fill my growler with their Sticky Greens IPA because when you see Phish in Tahoe and it's the first time they've played Tahoe, it's a special occasion.