James Philip “Jim” Matzinger passed away peacefully in his home on Cobb Mountain, Dec. 10, 2006, at age 58. He was born in Oakland on Jan. 3, 1948 to Ora Scott Matzinger and Dr. Philip Matzinger.
Jim graduated from UC Davis in 1970, where he was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity. After receiving his teaching credential in 1971, Jim accepted employment with the Konocti School District in Lake County and taught third through eighth grades during his 18-year teaching career. Jim combined his love for children and his love for nature by bringing the outdoors into his classroom. Many of his students had barriers to learning. He was able to take a diverse group of students and transform them into active, motivated learners by sharing his enthusiasm for the wonders of nature. He never stopped receiving letters and calls from former students thanking him for being a pivotal influence in their lives.
Jim was an ardent sailor from his childhood. He taught sailing at Kennolyn Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains during summer vacations from college. After college he spent several years crewing on the schooner the “Landfall II.”
Jim had a lifelong passion for travel and adventure which began with his family”s trip around the world in 1963. The trip began in India where his father volunteered to teach anesthesia. For the rest of his life, he sought to experience diverse cultures in remote locations; the more remote, the better.
Early Sierra Club trips with his family ignited a fervor for mountain climbing, backpacking and birding. He explored wild places worldwide. Once he learned to fly fish; it, too, became one of his many hobbies.
Always a fierce defender of nature, in 1976 Jim co-founded the Friends of Cobb Mountain, which was dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment. He became chairman of the organization in 1980 and remained in that position for the rest of his life. He worked tirelessly for the protection of the natural and community environments, first from the impact of geothermal development, then for controls on timber harvesting, culminating in the designation of the scenic corridor along Highway 175 and Bottle Rock Road. Jim continued in this work throughout his illness, most recently serving on the County appointed subcommittee for the updating of the Geothermal Element in the Lake County General Plan. He was greatly appreciated in the community of Cobb and by county government for his quiet determination and effectiveness in his environmental work.
Jim was an early member of Redbud Audubon Society and served as president from 1984 to 1986. As president, he took on many local environmental issues, including the controversial issue of outlawing duck hunting at the newly-opened Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. He also headed the Society”s annual Christmas Bird Count from 1979-1983.
Jim was married to Victoria Francis “Tory” Levee from 1984 to 1992 when she lost her fight with breast cancer. Out of devotion to their 6-year-old son Matthew, Jim retired from teaching to operate a small home-based investment/estate management business so that he could spend quality time with his son.
In 1997, Jim met Sharon Carini and they began to explore the world together. In 1998, however, Jim was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig”s Disease). Jim and Sharon were married in 1999 and enjoyed years of adventure travel until Jim became quadriplegic in 2003. Though the scope of their explorations narrowed, their shared love of the arts, history, and science let them continue to enjoy a life rich in discovery.
Jim”s curiosity and love for life never diminished, despite his suffering from the debilitating effects of ALS for almost a decade. His hallmark sparkling blue eyes, quick wit, and the glowing brightness that radiated through his personality will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him.
Jim is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Matthew; stepchildren, Enrico and Courtney Carini; brother, Richard Matzinger; aunt, Alfreda Smith; “uncle” Bill Lingafelter, Sr., devoted cousin, Brad Hanson; and other cousins too numerous to mention.
We will rejoice together for having known Jim starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 at Rob Roy Golf and Country Club.
Those who wish to commemorate his life may donate to: Friends of Cobb Mountain, P.O. Box 147, Cobb, CA, 95426; the Redbud Audubon Society, P.O. Box 5780, Clearlake, CA 95422; the Lake County Land Trust, P.O. Box 711, Lower Lake, CA 95422; the Soper-Reese Theater Project, 325 N. Main St., Lakeport, CA, 95453; or the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Rd., Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.
“Eventually all things merge into one and a river runs through it.” Norman MacClean
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com, then click obituaries. Published December 27, 2006.
