Jeff taught geology, ecology, ornitholigy, botany, fiber arts, organic crop production and traditional outdoor living skills. He taught us how to make fire with two sticks (harder than you think), to make rope with reeds, and to tan hides. Jeff's intense curiosity and his wide and deep knowledge, as well as his sense of humor, made the subjects he taught come alive to his students. An avid reader, he was also a published poet and essayist. He made clothing from local plant and animal materials, spinning and dyeing his own yarns and weaving, knitting and felting fabrics, as well as tanning hides. He built his own wood and canvas canoe, as well as paddles, snow-shoes, bows, arrows and atlatls (he tried to teach me to throw the atlatl, but it was not meant to be). With his family, he created a homestead farm, with extensive vegetable gardens and a large orchard. He had a particularly strong interest in the preservaton of heirloom varieties of vegetables and fruits and was for 10 years an active member of Seed Savers Exchange. A competitive long distance runner in high school, college, and later, Jeff continued to enjoy running until his illness prevented it. Jeff left behind his sweet and beautiful wife of 14 years, Jenn (Brown); and their two beloved children, Alex-ander (age 9) and Laura (age 7).
2 comments:
It was sad to read of Jeff's passing in the Nottingham Connection. As time goes on I am more amazed the differing paths that we take in life. I can say that Jeff's path was his own and an example to us all.
Mike Vermilye
Class of '78
It was sad to read of Jeff's passing in the Nottingham Connection. As time goes on I am more amazed the differing paths that we take in life. I can say that Jeff's path was his own and an example to us all.
Mike Vermilye
Class of '78
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