Deceased Classmate: Jeffrey Maltby
Date Of Birth: 08-30-1952
Date Deceased: 03-27-2021
Age at Death: 68
Cause of Death: Cancer
Classmate City: Patterson
Classmate State: CA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No
Survived By: Still collected data
I met Jeff in 1962. We became fast friends and have remained so ever since. There has never been a dull moment when Jeff, "Moe", was around!
Jeff is survived by countless friends, 1 sister, 3 brothers, his ex-wife Debbie and their son, Robert. Jeff has been retired for the past several years after concluding a career as a very talented, natural & self-taught carpenter.
Jeff had many interests and lived life enthusiastically. He always carried a camera and photographed his entire journey. He was a naturalist and an avid backpacker. Yosemite, Mono Lake and Death Valley were among his favorite destinations. He has owned many motorcycles and has logged over 100,000 miles on 2 wheels, mostly on Honda Goldwings. He served as President for the Honda Goldwing Club in the S.F. area 79-81. He corresponded with other club members, called "Wing Nuts", all over the world and met & rode with many when they visited the Bay Area. Jeff was also a Cadillac junkie. His first car was a beat-up 50 Caddie and his best car was a very rare 49 Cadillac Fastback in mint, original condition. He became an expert on old Caddie's and was a valuable resource to many others, on Cadillac Forums.
I could go on & on sharing stories about Jeff, but I'll conclude with just one more:
Jeff started his construction career at the age of 14 or 15, when he built his first structure. He excavated a building pad on a steep slope, deep in the canyon behind his parent's house. It was an impressive achievement. He had to haul tools, supplies and materials down a long, treacherous path to the site. The difficult access was key because that made it nearly impossible for parents and other undesirables to make the trek. When he finished, it looked like a "Hobbit House" and included an 8-track stereo system powered by 12-volt car batteries. It became known as the "Family Dog", and it wasn't long before it became a popular destination place for some pretty wild parties. Eventually, it became so popular that Jeff had to build another cabin in the canyon, in an undisclosed location for privacy. The second cabin was a beautiful rustic structure, complete with a vaulted ceiling, a porch, and a garden (not vegetables). It has only been seen by a very few of his closest "bro's", (plus several of his girlfriends).
I was saddened to hear of Jeff's passing. I had him in a couple of my classes. I remember him as a nice guy. We had some laughs together. I didnt know Jeff real well. But always liked him.
Although Jeff and I met in 7th grade, we didn't become close until we started sharing our interest in photography, backpacking and rock music as freshmen. As Leonard mentioned, there was never a dull moment with Jeff, whom I called Mope. Here are some treasured recollections:
• Mope had an intense interest in two authors: John Muir and J.R Tolkien (Hobbit, etc). There might not seem to be a connection between these two authors, but he was very influenced by them and they helped form his perception of the world. Mope held nature at the top of all that was sacred. Within nature, there was a pantheon of spirits, including bears, coyotes, mountains, rivers, granite, trees, storms, and other entities. This sounds heady, and it was. It was my pleasure, along with many of Mope's friends, to join him on backpacking trips into the Sierras. Most trips began at the trailhead on the full moon. Mope led the group, always finding the trail in the dark, and bringing us to a great camping spot by a lake or at the top of a lookout. After the fire was going, we'd sit around and talk, sometimes augmented with 'stoning materials.' Mope shared some valuable insights on those trips, saying a lot in few words. I am very grateful for those times.
• Mope's dad was often harsh toward hippie culture and especially Mope's long hair. One day he made Mope cut off his shoulder-length hair. Perhaps he thought it would make his son change his views and become an insurance salesman. Mope wrapped his hair with white paper and kept it safe because it had spiritual significance. I'm sure that package is somewhere amongst the things he left behind.
• At the 5-year Hayward High class reunion, we had a softball game. It was the hippies vs the high school baseball team. The hippies, including Mope, had been playing pickup softball games regularly for a few summers. Mope was a good ballplayer. On this particular day, Mope had his arm in a sling because he'd broken his collarbone. This did not stop him from playing. Somewhere toward the end of the game, Mope stepped up to the plate, batting one-handed. There were a couple of men on base and Mope slammed a solid double, scoring two runs. The Hippies held their lead and won the game.
• Mope, Leonard, Terry Blue, and I shared a duplex connected to Quarthouse Liquors across the street from Vals Burgers. Half of the duplex was condemned, so Mope cut through the dividing wall and took over the condemned side. If memory serves me, we each paid $25 a month in rent. Mope had his beagle, Snoopy, back then. When Mope would leave for work, Snoopy would tear down the curtains, chew up electrical cords, and ransack the space because he missed his master. One time Snooy ate half of a new set of expensive headphones. Mope loved Snoopy dearly and never scolded him for the daily destructions.
• In closing, I just want to thank Jeffrey Mope Maltby for being an honest and loyal friend. I picture him pulling up to a Doors concert on his motorcycle and joining his large group of friends. Rest in peace, my friend.
Jeff and I were in the same PE swim class at the Plunge swimming pool near downtown Hayward. While the Coach was trying to guide us in developing our skills on the high dive, Jeff had his own approach. He would run full blast and leap in the air. Rather than dive with precision and form, Jeff would launch himself into the air as though flung like a ragdoll, all akimbo and flailing until Sploosh! he landed in the pool. Of course, we always watched to see what he would do next...
Been sitting here for days trying to figure out how I could possibly sum up my friendship with Jeff (Moe). For the last years of his life, I didn’t see him often, but when we talked, usually on the phone, we would sometimes spend hours conversing and reminiscing. When we said goodbye, he was so truly grateful for the chance to catch up. After I hung up, I felt sad that my friend was going through some hard times and there wasn’t much I could do to help him.
I’ve read Leonard Greer’s and Jeff Luhn’s comments several times, and I feel like I could say DITTO and be done with my comments. I have the same feelings about Jeff that they expressed. When you were going to do something with Jeff, you knew it was going to be a little crazy, dangerous, maybe illegal, fun, and always interesting!
And they mentioned nature. Moe is one of the reasons I have such a love for the Sierras. I’ve seen many different mountain ranges, even the real Sierra Nevadas in Spain. But I still love the California Sierras, the mountains where Moe turned me on to backpacking, especially Yosemite. Moe and I experienced Yosemite in the era when you didn’t need permits, didn’t have to check in with anyone, could park your car anywhere. Moe always wanted to get to the highest point. Then get so close to the edge, like 3,000 feet above the valley floor, and scare the hell out of you!
Moe was also a lover of the beach. We made many trips to the beaches of the San Mateo coast South of Half Moon Bay. One of Moe’s favorite beaches was not a public beach, called acid beach. No need to elaborate further I think...
I feel maybe now is the time to bring up this group called the Bro’s. The Bro’s are a group of guys who have know each other for many years. Some of us have known each other since elementary school. The group really formed around late junior high/early high school. Moe was a member in good standing - maybe even one of the founding fathers. The Bro’s have lost some members, but we try very hard to keep in touch. Moe was a big driver of keeping the group together, and he will be missed in this role.
Leonard also mentioned the hide away structure that Moe built (photo attached). It was called the ‘Family Dog’. It was built to get away from people and have a good time. And you had to be invited or there was no admittance. When Moe built the second site, only the Bro’s were invited.
I could go on for days about Moe and the Bro’s and the experiences we had growing up in the 70’s in the Bay Area. Moe was truly an ‘original’ - no doubt about it! I will miss him, and am forever grateful for his friendship and his influence on my life.
I was saddened hearing of J- Mo's passing. I agree with Leonard, George and Jeff, J- Mo was a man of many talents but I think his biggest talent was the way he made a friend. He was warm, welcoming and could make you laugh. The class of 70 and the world lost a very good man. We ALL will miss you my friend. Rest in perfect peace sucka head.
Steve Schley
I did noJeff that well in HS. Just enough to say Hi, but he was still part of my important time of life.
Laurel Hartley
I too did not know Jeff real well, enough to know who he was that we were classmates.
The loss of any one of us tears at the fabric of our class. We all mattered, made contributions and loved life.
We need to remember that as we all age, we will be lost to those who remember us and loved us.
We need to remember those who were on the perrifery of our lives are also worth remembering.
They too had lives, loves and meaning in our life; even if we did not know them well.
Our class loses meaning everytime we have a memorial! Rest in peace Jeff.
Laurel Hartley
Leonard Greer
I met Jeff in 1962. We became fast friends and have remained so ever since. There has never been a dull moment when Jeff, "Moe", was around!
Jeff is survived by countless friends, 1 sister, 3 brothers, his ex-wife Debbie and their son, Robert. Jeff has been retired for the past several years after concluding a career as a very talented, natural & self-taught carpenter.
Jeff had many interests and lived life enthusiastically. He always carried a camera and photographed his entire journey. He was a naturalist and an avid backpacker. Yosemite, Mono Lake and Death Valley were among his favorite destinations. He has owned many motorcycles and has logged over 100,000 miles on 2 wheels, mostly on Honda Goldwings. He served as President for the Honda Goldwing Club in the S.F. area 79-81. He corresponded with other club members, called "Wing Nuts", all over the world and met & rode with many when they visited the Bay Area. Jeff was also a Cadillac junkie. His first car was a beat-up 50 Caddie and his best car was a very rare 49 Cadillac Fastback in mint, original condition. He became an expert on old Caddie's and was a valuable resource to many others, on Cadillac Forums.
I could go on & on sharing stories about Jeff, but I'll conclude with just one more:
Jeff started his construction career at the age of 14 or 15, when he built his first structure. He excavated a building pad on a steep slope, deep in the canyon behind his parent's house. It was an impressive achievement. He had to haul tools, supplies and materials down a long, treacherous path to the site. The difficult access was key because that made it nearly impossible for parents and other undesirables to make the trek. When he finished, it looked like a "Hobbit House" and included an 8-track stereo system powered by 12-volt car batteries. It became known as the "Family Dog", and it wasn't long before it became a popular destination place for some pretty wild parties. Eventually, it became so popular that Jeff had to build another cabin in the canyon, in an undisclosed location for privacy. The second cabin was a beautiful rustic structure, complete with a vaulted ceiling, a porch, and a garden (not vegetables). It has only been seen by a very few of his closest "bro's", (plus several of his girlfriends).
RIP Jeff, I'll see you on the other side.
Judi Foster (Davlin)
I was saddened to hear of Jeff's passing. I had him in a couple of my classes. I remember him as a nice guy. We had some laughs together. I didnt know Jeff real well. But always liked him.
Jeffery Luhn
Although Jeff and I met in 7th grade, we didn't become close until we started sharing our interest in photography, backpacking and rock music as freshmen. As Leonard mentioned, there was never a dull moment with Jeff, whom I called Mope. Here are some treasured recollections:
• Mope had an intense interest in two authors: John Muir and J.R Tolkien (Hobbit, etc). There might not seem to be a connection between these two authors, but he was very influenced by them and they helped form his perception of the world. Mope held nature at the top of all that was sacred. Within nature, there was a pantheon of spirits, including bears, coyotes, mountains, rivers, granite, trees, storms, and other entities. This sounds heady, and it was. It was my pleasure, along with many of Mope's friends, to join him on backpacking trips into the Sierras. Most trips began at the trailhead on the full moon. Mope led the group, always finding the trail in the dark, and bringing us to a great camping spot by a lake or at the top of a lookout. After the fire was going, we'd sit around and talk, sometimes augmented with 'stoning materials.' Mope shared some valuable insights on those trips, saying a lot in few words. I am very grateful for those times.
• Mope's dad was often harsh toward hippie culture and especially Mope's long hair. One day he made Mope cut off his shoulder-length hair. Perhaps he thought it would make his son change his views and become an insurance salesman. Mope wrapped his hair with white paper and kept it safe because it had spiritual significance. I'm sure that package is somewhere amongst the things he left behind.
• At the 5-year Hayward High class reunion, we had a softball game. It was the hippies vs the high school baseball team. The hippies, including Mope, had been playing pickup softball games regularly for a few summers. Mope was a good ballplayer. On this particular day, Mope had his arm in a sling because he'd broken his collarbone. This did not stop him from playing. Somewhere toward the end of the game, Mope stepped up to the plate, batting one-handed. There were a couple of men on base and Mope slammed a solid double, scoring two runs. The Hippies held their lead and won the game.
• Mope, Leonard, Terry Blue, and I shared a duplex connected to Quarthouse Liquors across the street from Vals Burgers. Half of the duplex was condemned, so Mope cut through the dividing wall and took over the condemned side. If memory serves me, we each paid $25 a month in rent. Mope had his beagle, Snoopy, back then. When Mope would leave for work, Snoopy would tear down the curtains, chew up electrical cords, and ransack the space because he missed his master. One time Snooy ate half of a new set of expensive headphones. Mope loved Snoopy dearly and never scolded him for the daily destructions.
• In closing, I just want to thank Jeffrey Mope Maltby for being an honest and loyal friend. I picture him pulling up to a Doors concert on his motorcycle and joining his large group of friends. Rest in peace, my friend.
Jeffery Luhn
Jack Da Silva
Jeff and I were in the same PE swim class at the Plunge swimming pool near downtown Hayward. While the Coach was trying to guide us in developing our skills on the high dive, Jeff had his own approach. He would run full blast and leap in the air. Rather than dive with precision and form, Jeff would launch himself into the air as though flung like a ragdoll, all akimbo and flailing until Sploosh! he landed in the pool. Of course, we always watched to see what he would do next...
Happy Trails Jeff!
Jack
George Gutierrez
Been sitting here for days trying to figure out how I could possibly sum up my friendship with Jeff (Moe). For the last years of his life, I didn’t see him often, but when we talked, usually on the phone, we would sometimes spend hours conversing and reminiscing. When we said goodbye, he was so truly grateful for the chance to catch up. After I hung up, I felt sad that my friend was going through some hard times and there wasn’t much I could do to help him.
I’ve read Leonard Greer’s and Jeff Luhn’s comments several times, and I feel like I could say DITTO and be done with my comments. I have the same feelings about Jeff that they expressed. When you were going to do something with Jeff, you knew it was going to be a little crazy, dangerous, maybe illegal, fun, and always interesting!
And they mentioned nature. Moe is one of the reasons I have such a love for the Sierras. I’ve seen many different mountain ranges, even the real Sierra Nevadas in Spain. But I still love the California Sierras, the mountains where Moe turned me on to backpacking, especially Yosemite. Moe and I experienced Yosemite in the era when you didn’t need permits, didn’t have to check in with anyone, could park your car anywhere. Moe always wanted to get to the highest point. Then get so close to the edge, like 3,000 feet above the valley floor, and scare the hell out of you!
Moe was also a lover of the beach. We made many trips to the beaches of the San Mateo coast South of Half Moon Bay. One of Moe’s favorite beaches was not a public beach, called acid beach. No need to elaborate further I think...
I feel maybe now is the time to bring up this group called the Bro’s. The Bro’s are a group of guys who have know each other for many years. Some of us have known each other since elementary school. The group really formed around late junior high/early high school. Moe was a member in good standing - maybe even one of the founding fathers. The Bro’s have lost some members, but we try very hard to keep in touch. Moe was a big driver of keeping the group together, and he will be missed in this role.
Leonard also mentioned the hide away structure that Moe built (photo attached). It was called the ‘Family Dog’. It was built to get away from people and have a good time. And you had to be invited or there was no admittance. When Moe built the second site, only the Bro’s were invited.
I could go on for days about Moe and the Bro’s and the experiences we had growing up in the 70’s in the Bay Area. Moe was truly an ‘original’ - no doubt about it! I will miss him, and am forever grateful for his friendship and his influence on my life.
Happy Trails, Mi Amigo!
Joseph Worthington
I was saddened hearing of J- Mo's passing. I agree with Leonard, George and Jeff, J- Mo was a man of many talents but I think his biggest talent was the way he made a friend. He was warm, welcoming and could make you laugh. The class of 70 and the world lost a very good man. We ALL will miss you my friend. Rest in perfect peace sucka head.