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Dear Classmates,
It is my sad honor to inform you that our dear friend Geoff Shlaes passed away last evening at home in San Diego from a heart attack. Geoff and I were last together for a lovely dinner prior to attending the premiere of Phil Savenick's wonderful 100 Years 100 Stories film at the Wallis last Thursday. Funeral services are pending in Los Angeles.
Peter Rutenberg
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Marc Russell
I saw Geoff at the reunion in Roxbury Park only 5 months ago. Very disappointed to hear of his passing. If memory serves, he was hot stuff on the football team.
Gaye (Peggy) Freeman Gabriel
Oh I am so so sad to hear this! So many fond memories in high school with Geoff! I was looking forward to our 50th!!!
What a wonderful man. He will be truly missed. My heart goes out to his friends and family.
Gaye Freeman
Raina Pinsky (Ring)
I have some great memories of some very fun times with Geoff. What a great guy, so full of life, taken way too soon. This is really very, very sad.
Brian Grad
My Sympathies to Geoff's Family and Loved Ones. May his memory serve to comfort their loss.
Frank Kavelin
I interacted with Geoff a few times in high school and had a nice conversation with him at our 40th reunion. While many of you had a relationship with Geoff lasting many years, my relationship with him lasted only a few days.
Last Thanksgiving, Geoff’s daughter encouraged Geoff to open a Facebook account. I sent Geoff a friend request two Thursdays ago—the day of the screening of Phil Savenick’s beautiful film. Geoff accepted my request within hours. As great fortune would have it, one of the first people I saw at the screening was Geoff, along with Peter Rutenberg. Peter invited me to sit with them (thank you once more, Peter). Geoff sat between Peter and me, so we had ample opportunity to talk: about music, our work, his secret desire to be a jazz musician (guitar), his memories of Groucho, my memories of Doris, our high school insecurities (how could Geoff have had insecurities?), our respective long marriages, our wives, children and grandchildren. I knew then that we would be good friends for many years to come.
We continued our conversation on Facebook, up until two days before he left us. At his memorial yesterday, I heard testimonials of Geoff’s imprint on the lives of his family and those who were close to him for years. I’m moved to give thanks for the honor of knowing him, if only for a few days.
Sheli Lerman (Thoman)
My heart and thoughts are with Geoff's family and friends. May his memory be a blessing to everyone.
Richard Nierenberg
Very sad to hear. I remember him as a multiply talented and remarkably accomplished man, inspiring in his balance, and each time I saw him at a reunion I wished I had known him better at Beverly.