Sunday, January 23, 2005 WUTHMANN, Deming - 51, died December 26, 2004 after a short battle with cancer. A longtime San Rafael resident, Deming worked for 30 years as a commercial fisherman in Alaska. This unusual career for a Ph.D. candidate in economics began with a summer job while he was attending Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. Deming rose from crewman to partner and skipper in the Bristol Bay salmon run. While in college, he bought a motorcycle in Costa Rica and drove it home to Palo Alto. After graduating magna cum laude in natural science and philosophy, Deming built and launched a wooden sailboat in Cape Cod, MA. He was a gifted mechanic, carpenter and plumber who worked as a general contractor in Marin County. Deming grew up skiing at Heavenly in Lake Tahoe, where his parents were among the original partners. He skied on patrol there one season. Deming was active in his community and felt fortunate to combine his passion - to work with his hands with his love for helping others. He was a soccer coach, board member and youth referee coordinator. An Eagle Scout, Deming lived his motto, "Do a good turn daily." Most of all, Deming was a family man. His family, friends, fishing buddies and community will never forget his friendly smile and passion for life. Deming is survived by his wife of 19 years, Cynthia ;and their two sons, Tyler, 15, and Spencer, 11; by his father, Ernest; his brother, Christopher, his sister-in-law, Allison Rock and their children Walter and Raina. Deming's friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Feb. 13 from noon - 3:30 pm. at The Branson School in Ross, CA. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are making contributions to Wuthmann Children Education Fund at Tamalpais Bank, 851 Irwin St, San Rafael, CA, 94901.
This article appeared on page Z - 99 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Going to the Fillmore to see Albert King and BB King. Deming went up and shook Albert KIng's hand, which gave me the guts to go shake BBs. Deming coming to my house to get Kim (not me) to help him with his homework. I'm glad he got to fish in Alaska. It just doesn't seem like Deming could be gone.
I remember Deming from Junior HIgh, Jordan. My family moved to Alaska in 1968 and I ended up graduating from high school there..however, I did make a side trip one year, to Kodiak and ended up commercial salmon fishing there, and still do. I remember running into Deming one year, probably between 1974-1976..saw him and recognized him at the local grocery store! What a small world! We chatted for a while. I don't remember if he had been fishing in Kodiak that year.. And then to read that he ended up fishing in Bristol Bay--I can understand his love for salmon fishing, as we still do every summer. He was always a nice guy, and sorry to read about his passing.
Deming and I took off skiing in February, ’72. 11 days, 10 skiing, 3,200 miles of driving, one all-nighter, no plans, lots of memorable stories. We each had about $100. I spent $60 on gas, $30 on lift tickets, and $10 on miscellaneous items (food, housing, entertainment, etc.) I think Deming spent less. In those days you were only limited by your lack of imagination and creativity. Coupling these skills with Deming’s good looks, I’m surprised he didn’t return with more money than he started with.
Speaking of Deming’s ability to convince people to do what he wanted, Deming and I, along with Doug Sharpe, spent 6 weeks in Europe the previous summer. One night we snuck up on the Acropolis with some other tour members. We were up on the site for about 30 minutes before the Greek Police came after us. We split into two groups to get away and Deming’s group was caught. They were taken to the local police station but after about an hour Deming managed to talk them into releasing the entire group. I think they gave him a plate of baklava when he left ….
Jeff McAllester
One of the the most inventive and caring people this world could hope to host. Miss you daily, love Mac
Brit Harvey
Going to the Fillmore to see Albert King and BB King. Deming went up and shook Albert KIng's hand, which gave me the guts to go shake BBs. Deming coming to my house to get Kim (not me) to help him with his homework. I'm glad he got to fish in Alaska. It just doesn't seem like Deming could be gone.
Brit
Priscilla Jane Abbott
Hello Deming,
You, Roark Murphy, Doug Sharpe and many more tortured me wrestling my first season 1971 LOL...
But always made sure we were up for the matches and ready under Coach Fisher and Coach Hart!
Insane I remember this, you took 3rd your Senior season in SPAL, qualified to wrestle in the
Nor Cal tournament. You said, nope, wrestling is over, I am going skiing hahahahahahahaa.
Insane, and I was kinda jealous of you, and impressed ya goof!!!
I did my best and wrote your wife and children as many wonderful memories as I could about you in
high school. Hopefully in some very small way, was some sort of comfort. As I wrote before, now
You, Roarke, Jon Dunn, all wrestling for God from the 1972 team..... All my best.
David Jones 73'
Lacey Johannes (Berns)
I remember Deming from Junior HIgh, Jordan. My family moved to Alaska in 1968 and I ended up graduating from high school there..however, I did make a side trip one year, to Kodiak and ended up commercial salmon fishing there, and still do. I remember running into Deming one year, probably between 1974-1976..saw him and recognized him at the local grocery store! What a small world! We chatted for a while. I don't remember if he had been fishing in Kodiak that year.. And then to read that he ended up fishing in Bristol Bay--I can understand his love for salmon fishing, as we still do every summer. He was always a nice guy, and sorry to read about his passing.
Richard Adam Johnson
Deming and I took off skiing in February, ’72. 11 days, 10 skiing, 3,200 miles of driving, one all-nighter, no plans, lots of memorable stories. We each had about $100. I spent $60 on gas, $30 on lift tickets, and $10 on miscellaneous items (food, housing, entertainment, etc.) I think Deming spent less. In those days you were only limited by your lack of imagination and creativity. Coupling these skills with Deming’s good looks, I’m surprised he didn’t return with more money than he started with.
Speaking of Deming’s ability to convince people to do what he wanted, Deming and I, along with Doug Sharpe, spent 6 weeks in Europe the previous summer. One night we snuck up on the Acropolis with some other tour members. We were up on the site for about 30 minutes before the Greek Police came after us. We split into two groups to get away and Deming’s group was caught. They were taken to the local police station but after about an hour Deming managed to talk them into releasing the entire group. I think they gave him a plate of baklava when he left ….
I will miss Deming, he was a true friend.