Our dear friend Martin suddenly passed away on January 14th in his San Francisco home. Adventurer, sailor, pilot, poet, husband, and for so many a true friend, he was many things to many people. We invite you, his friends and family to share your memories, stories and images for us all to once more appreciate the man and his truly well-lived life.
A celebration of life memorial was held on Sunday. February 10th and in accordance to his wishes, his ashes were scattered from the Mt Tam hang gliding launch pad on Thursday, January 24th. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers and as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent in his honour to one of the following organizations:
Salvation Army United Kingdom https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/
Salvation Army San Francisco https://sanfrancisco.salvationarmy.org/
SPCA San Francisco https://www.sfspca.org/
RSCPA UK https://www.rspca.org.uk/
Tributes
Leave a tributeGreg
Happy Birthday!!! We miss you!
I know you are soaring in the heavens
Best
Greg Pritchard
I did not know 'till now. You were a dear friend to me and my family
and especially to our departed son Benjamin who you are with now.
Our great times together at Lake Tahoe will always be remembered.
God Bless You.
Love to Masai
We are so sorry - We only just learned of your death. We have known you all our lives, so our lives will have a little bit of fun and light missing without you. We know you were such a special friend to Mum & Dad too. All our memories with you are filled with living life to the full at 100 miles an hour - skiing, running, sailing, singing, dinners, parties - I know mum loved to party with you! London, Brussels, Tokyo, San Francisco....I am so thankful we were able to have a last bit of fun with you last year in San Fran. We will miss you so, so much. Sending this with so much love. Tamsin and Esther xxxxx
lives. We had dinner together last Friday in Singapore and shared stories
of our friendships. Martin's legacy lives on in our hearts and in the hearts of all those whose lives he touched. Hugs to Masae on what is no doubt a tough day without her "birthday boy" close by to spoil on his big day. xo Pat Chiota and Rick Payne
Such good memories of Brussels (your life book, Levis, Bois de la Cambre, squash); San Francisco (x 2) ( Ben' s first visit ; Masae and Nantha bonding ; McKinsey picnic) ; Tokyo (your apartment, Tianamen Square); Singapore (bangers and mash at The Tanglin Club, squash again; San Francisco - the last time (karaoke - one of the worst renditions of a Beatles song ever !).
A good life, well lived. RIP my friend.
Bob and Nantha, Singapore
As said by others, I always thought of Martin as a renaissance man with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He was a man's man pursuing all sorts of adventure sports, an intellectual and a philosopher, a business and financial advisor...someone who had a curiosity and interest in everything and everyone. He was a beautiful human being who made a deep and warm impression on us during the years we lived in San Francisco together. Those lovely memories and our warm affection for him will remain in our hearts always. Our sincere condolences, Masae. Pat Chiota and Rick Payne
You were a dear friend of my mothers', Nienke but you became a friend of mine over the years and truly someone I was always uplifted to see. I would cross paths with you at an event, or on chestnut street, or riding your bike on the marina green, and you always had the gift of reminding me to be present because you were so polite, so civilized, so dapper, so positive and you made my heart smile to see you. Your poise and authenticity was a reminder of what is important in life - your relationships and being in the moment. I thank you for being the embodiment and inspiration for a life well lived and I will miss your smile and spirit.
What a great friend both you and Masae have been to us over the years. We’ve shared Levi’s; we’ve shared fabulous dinners and great intellectual conversations; we’ve shared friends; we’ve shared laughs and adventures (but not skydiving!); we’ve share the Economist; we’ve shared Moocat and we’ve shared so much more.
Plus, we’ve patiently listened to your tuba and marching music and enjoyed being with you for more than 30 years. And we've loved you during all that time.
Dear, dear Martini, I’m numb; you were larger than life to me. I thought you would live forever. I can’t believe you’re gone…. along with Bob and Moocat.
Now that you are in heaven, just know that having been your friend was a milestone for us and your essence will forever raise the bar for me and others down below.
I will truly miss you…………. Julie
On reflecting on earlier comments of Kevin's brother Tristan, I realized I was too far away to say 'what about Marvin?' Then I realized I had already summarized adorable Corgi dog named Marvin, used to announce Tristan and Laura's twin daughters in photo with Giants scarf and two baby Giant dresses behind in earlier tribute here. Even though babies Emma and Caroline, who were still to fragile to be at last dinner with Martin and Masae, it was Tristan who had final Handeland contact with Martin, over how to access Emma and Caroline photos. Martin did, and I thought: even though Marvin who announced twins never lived to see them or they to know Marvin, at least Martin got to see photos of Emma and Caroline before those last moments on his beloved Marina penthouse deck.
So after last of touching vignettes at Martin Memorial Sunday, I realized everything I may have said of Martin had already been alluded to or commented on, except for:
1. Hugh Parker, who long before most of us came to know Martin, when he joined Levi's and came with Masae to San Francisco, was Martin's first international mentor. Hugh was first McKinsey Partner transferred to London to build McKinsey Europe. And coincidentally Hugh was also my last mentor in his final role as Business International CEO. Both Martin and I talked often with respect and awe of Hugh and kept in touch with him until he passed away recently.
2. And to conclude comments, I would have glanced at all those gathered and observed Festa as fitting place for last gathering for Martin, since it reflects both the vision and ambition of Masae, combined with the unwavering support of Martin, a great example of how the best of a marriage can also be a successful business partnership, a tribute to both Martin and Masae.
I did convey that last sentiment to Masae as we left, and only missed opportunity to complement her friend Yuko, who I didn't realize was sitting next to Masae, on Yuko's great gift of providing and administering this wonderful 'Never Forgotten' place to remember Martin.
During the fortnight since his passing, we have often recalled the words:
HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE – “shame on anyone who thinks badly of it (him)”
Officially the motto of the “Order of the Garter,” it is not only used on the British royal coat of arms, but also by several regiments of the British army – altho not the Parachute Regiment…………
Martin Beresford was a renaissance man, and true gentleman in the classic sense of the word. He excelled not simply at sporting pursuits, but also pursuits of the mind. An Englishman who became a proud American citizen, he personified not just “a life well (and vigorously) lived,” but a man who inspired us to feel we were indeed the better for the privilege of having known him.
HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
Thom & Lynne Chirurg (San Francisco)
Numerous were our tennis games, movies and dinners. You were always into sports, from hangliding to sailing, up to the end you kept trying when you finally bought yourself a red tricycle!
You were a very kind and humble human being , Martin, you will stay an inspiration for me, and I will be sad a l o n g time as I miss a great friend.
In San Francisco we traveled to Sierras with Martin and Masae and think of their Lake Street first home from New Year's Eve of 1985. Six weeks later Tristan was born and I continued commuting to NY BI work. Even with a new son, life then was never as challenging as for Martin, when a few years later with an even longer commute to Asia for investments banks, he faced enormous challenge of all renovation complexities of their Sacramento St. home.
Martin returned from Far East as Gorbachev lost USSR. I think of that in relation to richest aspect of our friendship always being vibrant and, as PJ knows, often passionate discussion of views of world around us. Most were every few weeks beginning with late afternoon gin and tonics at Martin and Masae's wonderful new Marina penthouse, that from deck we could look up to see our home 8 blocks south as well as watch sunset over Golden Gate. Often these exchanges of views extended to dinners at Beresford's or Handeland's.
When Masae called on recent evening, I was hearing words I last heard 30 years ago, when a young nephew of our best man Tom Henry, walked to podium and began eulogy with 'Uncle Tom Died...' And I realized that now all my close pals, back through San Francisco days even before I met PJ or Martin are gone, and there is no one left to talk to here in same way I always did with Martin.
When PJ arrived home the evening of Masae's call, she reminded me that, even though we had dinner with Martin and Masae ,along with Kevin and Lauren just before New Year, it was Tristan who had last contact with Martin. Martin confirmed he could log on to photo site to see pictures of Caroline and Emma. And then I thought how strange the world of connections is. It was a photo of Marvin, an adorable corgi, who was only family member that Tristan and Laura had almost since their 2012 marriage, that announced twins to friends, Marvin' in his Giants bib and two Giants baby girl dresses behind. Guess interesting connect as well as disconnect is that Marvin died, so would never get to know the twins or they Marvin. At least Martin got to see pictures of Caroline and Emma.
Martin was godfather in San Francisco to both Tristan and Kevin. From time both could walk, we recall Martin holding their outstretched arms as they gingerly climbed up his legs to then be flipped over in mid air and land safely, but surprised with feet on floor and security of Martin's hands still holding their arms to ensure that safe landing. As years passed, Martin was always there for birthday dinners and other times to regale them with tales of his school day memories in England.
And now, we all will always dearly miss Martin. But we know a smile will always appear as we reflect on his rich, full, inquisitive and renaissance man life both in San Francisco, as well as through all those wonderful stories of his life and times years before. Some of our photo Memories of Martin are posted on Forever Missed.
I will miss you for a long time.
Your glider sparkles love
And celestial light mischievously forever.
We are all shocked and sad to hear of his sudden death. I join you.
I recently had lunch with Martin at the Marines Memorial Club. Actually, it was lunch, post-lunch, evening ease-in time watching the sunset. We had a great conversation because I asked Martin just one question -- tell me about your life, I want to hear it all. Modestly, he initially protested. But then, he got on a roll. I heard about his high school "conversion" to be an agnostic. Quickly, he needed to became a boxer. About his days with LS&Co and the double bind they put him in. (On his first day of work at LS&Co., he was in my workshop. We were imprinted forever.) And then his many jobs after LS&Co.
He joked. He was a British soldier and the US Marines let him into the club because he was born on July 4.
He showed me his mental nimbleness when encountering new jobs and challenges. Martin did the first-person research to learn how things worked. And, as you know, he conquered physical feats such as running and hang gliding. But also the intellectual pursuits of writing haiku and long papers on philosophy and politics. Martin shared his 10 Great Questions and Ideas. I have slowly discussed them with him. I have not yet been able to replicate these for myself. But it just illustrated for me how Martin lived the axiom -- "An unexamined life is not worth living." Few live their whole lives with mind, body, heart, and soul. Here was Martin in my life from 1976 to serve as a model for me.
He certainly made his life worth living and showed me how it's done. Martin is one of the reasons I have no fear about "retiring." His calling was continuous, holistic learning. So is mine. Different forms and subjects. Same pursuit of knowledge and values.
Martin, I know that you will continue as my wise guide. Love to you, Kris
Despite excelling at an astonishing range of sporting and cultural activities, you never allowed these to distract you from your loyalty to your friends. In your wisdom, Martin, you understood that the pursuit of happiness is not selfish if it includes friendship and compassion for others.
Tu me manques.
Patrick Alexander
May you continue on as before!
“Take the adventure, heed the call, now ere the irrevocable moment passes! !”
― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
He worked hard to learn Japanese and became fluent although as his teacher was from older generation there was a certain quaintness which only Martin could have made entertaining.
My strong memory of Martin was his intense enthusiasm about any of the many activities he was doing and a loyalty and kindness to his friends. I had personal experience of this when after my dingy capsized in heavy weather he came to my rescue. He was the kind of Guy you wanted to have by your side in the trenches under fire
I wish you smooth passage on your last flight West, old friend.
Martin had some bad habits impossible to break deserving mention lest we become too maudlin. When at the helm of my boat and wanting to tack, he would say: “ready about”, “prepare to tack”, “helms a’lee, “lee ho” never learning the proper American command: “you ready” responded to by “yeah”. Before getting on board the boat, he would shout: “coming on board” even when I was helping him get on board. When riding on a ski lift chair, he would sing obscure and unfortunately unforgotten British music hall songs. His linguist abilities were overrated. He could not pronounce “schedule”, “controversy” and “Renaissance”.
Now we sail without him but with a wonderful legacy of memories.
All these and so much more.
A rare blend of self-confidence and charm in a turbulent world.
You will be missed.
Love Ben (aka Orlando the marmalade cat)
Leave a Tribute
Greg
Happy Birthday!!! We miss you!
Flying higher than on earth
Missing you, and the fabulous celebrations we used to share on your birthday.