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Kim Serkes Obituary
July 7, 1950 - July 21, 2013
Kim Serkes, known to many of his friends and acquaintances as Joaquin Switch, died suddenly and unexpectedly of natural causes on the evening of July 21 at his home in Berkeley, California. He had been in poor health for some time. Kim is survived by his partner Mary Lou Breslin, ex-wife Donna Odierna, closest friend Doris Hurd, brothers Scott and Dean Serkes, niece Jennifer, and nephew Matthew.
In 1967 Kim moved from Indiana to San Francisco, where he lived for many years; first in the Haight and later in North Beach. Friends called him Hobbit because he was short and furry and enjoyed life's pleasures, great and small. He worked for several years at the Haight-Ashbury Switchboard and in counterculture radio. In later years he was an information technologist and free-lance photographer. He traveled extensively, dressed in the colors of the Brazilian flag during the World Cup soccer tournament, and worked for human rights and ecological justice in the Amazon Basin. He was an accomplished cook and an early user of computers and the internet. Logging in as (kls), he was among the earliest denizens of the WELL virtual community, and he belonged to The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. Rumors that he was a cook on a Satanic fishing boat are greatly exaggerated.
A memorial gathering will be held in Berkeley on Sunday, October 27, 2-4pm. For details and location please send email to [email protected]
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kim Serkes
Sponsored by the little oregano blossom and the witch.
Spot
August 18, 2022
Wow. You taught me how to cook, and to ride a motorcycle. You shaped my life in indescribable ways.
Lin Gale
July 31, 2017
I miss you in my life and always will. You were a bright light, always compelling, thought-provoking, amusing and a true friend. Irreplaceable.
July 30, 2017
Four years gone, imagine that. I dreamed of him last night, we were just hanging out. He was online, I was reading. Relaxed, no drama. It got late, I went out to the car to drive home. The moon was peeking out from between clouds in the midnight-blue sky.
---a bruxinha
Rhea Farley
July 22, 2016
Thought of you often yesterday Kim.
Glad I got to know you
July 27, 2014
We drove to SF together from Indiana. It was very hot along Route 66. When we arrived somewhere, he would walk me to sit under a tree and then magically find some cold water to share. We lost contact early, but he had given me a little turtle statue, and told me to put it in my window and we would catch up some day. So, since then, whenever I moved, I would put the little turtle in my window, where it is now. And we finally caught up, with me reading his obit today, and celebrating what a happy life he had as a "California boy!"
Donna Odierna (a bruxinha)
July 25, 2014
Still missing you fiercely, 'zinho, especially when I drive to the ocean, or when the fog does its cute fog tricks.
Watching the world cup was just not the same without you - your shrieks when Brasil lost the semifinal 7-1 would have been heard all the way to Rio!
Juliana
January 30, 2014
This is such sad news. I just came across my old friend Kim's name in my address book and decided to Google him to see what he's been up to. I was glad to see this friendly photo pop up, and then immediately so saddened to realize that it was attached to an obituary. I worked with Kim at an office job 20 years ago and have many fond memories of him from that time. Though belated, my thoughts are with you all — his family and friends — right now.
November 11, 2013
Though we were not in touch in recent years, Joaquin's presence and personality "loom large" in my life history.
He was/is one of the most brilliant individuals it has been my privilege to know and associate with; from him I learned many things.
He will always be remembered with affection and admiration; my world is diminished by his absence.
And, I confess, I am sure as hell curious about his "other
name".
AC Smith - August 07 at 09:54 AM
(ported in from another site by Donna)
October 29, 2013
October 29, 2013
Ported in from another site:
Hobbit was the first person to turn me on to gourmet food. He was the resident chef for the Downhome Nasties. I will always remember his chocolate hazelnut torte which I ate in 1974 all covered with fresh whipped cream. RIP Hobbit
Devora - August 15 at 01:05 PM
Gina Pond
October 23, 2013
Kim was one of the first people I met when I moved to the Bay Area. He was sweet and fun and a big cuddly Teddy Bear. We hadn't had a chance to talk much in the last few years, but I'm glad that he was in my life. I will miss him and his smile in this life.
Haight-Ashbury, 1968
October 23, 2013
Robbie Meyer Cohen
October 22, 2013
I met Joaquin when he was married to my friend, Donna. To me, he was someone who loved sharing new visions, ideas and amazingly prepared food. When someone was open to learning and was within his reach, he seemed especially gratified. To all those who shared Joaquin's life, I am so sorry for your loss.
Cynsa Bonorris
October 22, 2013
I will miss you terribly, Kimbi. A man who taught me the evils of salted butter, a man who wasn't afraid to giggle, a fellow motorcyclist who sympathized with the horrors of mistybutt and always had a soft rag handy, who kept his apartment overflowing with good books, great food and even better conversation.
Thank you for being a light of fascination, a true original in a dull world.
Christmas card received from Joaquin. Censored.
Lori Torgusen
October 17, 2013
Lori Torgusen
October 17, 2013
This sad news has affected me harder than I would have expected, particularly since it has been almost 30 years since I have seen or spoken to him. I have no photos to contribute, however, I submitted a post card and a Christmas card that I received from him sometime in the mid-80's. I am filled with so many cherished memories, it seems like it was only yesterday.
I always felt privileged to have known him (or that he chose to know me). He was an amazing, multi-faceted individual, and I will miss him terribly. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Post card from Joaquin in Paris
Lori Torgusen
October 17, 2013
Audrey Rouley
October 16, 2013
Rest I'm peace my friend you are loved and remembered in our hearts.Love & Light
Ranger Craven
October 16, 2013
Jaoquin was an amazing, strong and brave brother. I recall the time when all the phones on the block where the Haight Ashbury Switchboard (hence the Switch in J's name) was located were knocked out and by the time Ma Bell's minions arrived Jaoquin(the Hobbit)had restored service to all.
October 14, 2013
I miss you so Joaquin, some of my very best memories include San Franciso restaurants and you!
-Lin Gale (heart in S.F.)
Susan Sheldrake
October 9, 2013
We were neighbors on Montgomery Street on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco during the 1980s. Joaquin often asked me to watch his apartment for him when he went back East. I would water his plants (with room temperature water, of course) and sing opera to them. Of course, he always invited me to enjoy his New York Times and myriad magazines that I brought in with his mail.
Joaquin was that rare and original gentleman whose memory I shall always cherish.
Deborah Wise
October 6, 2013
I miss you, you wicked Hobbit. Love to you, wherever you are.
Karyn Ann Bosso
September 10, 2013
RIP Joaquin...one of the "original hippies." We met at the old Blue Unicorn on Hayes when I was in my teens....you will be greatly missed.
Eden Lang
September 2, 2013
JOAQUIN SWITCH
Was a photographer…..
A cook
A talented chemist
A true lover of women
A supportive friend
A motorcycling adventurist
A swift and sure master of the English language
And a hundred other things
Anything he could do, he could explain
so that I understood it
He was "among the cognoscenti"
And from 1968 to 1979,
He helped me to be "among the cognoscenti" too
I have not been in touch with him for over thirty years
And I really really miss him
August 23, 2013
Pooh shared this. So young.
Iri shH
August 22, 2013
J and moll and beloved BMW bike
August 17, 2013
Kim during his early days in San Francisco.
August 15, 2013
Kitty Cone
August 14, 2013
When I first met Kim years back, I was impressed by his intelligence and his widespread knowledge. I wasn't sure however that he was someone with whom I would enjoy hanging out. Actually, he seemed a little frightening to me, because of his wicked wit and his delight in saying utterly outrageous things.
Because of his relationship with Mary Lou, my dear friend, I began to appreciate and care about the multifaceted individual who was Kim. He was a devoted lover, a character, a gourmet chef, a progressive who loved to rant and who was wonderful to rant along with, an inveterate helper, a rascal, an intellectual, a world rover with interesting tales to tell, and the absolute doppelgänger for Santa Claus with a laugh to go along with it. He hated to be told that and would give the business to anyone who dared.
Having been a visitor in Kim and Mary Lou's home for several months, I experienced Kim's hospitality and quirkiness firsthand. Every day he came to my room with some new gadget or electronic device that would make my stay easier. He rigged up new lights, electronics for the television, something to make the telephone work better, repaired my computer, and struggled to repair my wheelchair, usually muttering all the while. He regularly chased my assistants out of the kitchen until they learned that only he knew how to use a knife, make coffee or load the dishwasher correctly. He was the Lord of the kitchen.
Kim's kind acts were sometimes carried out with huffing and puffing, and other times with grim silence when he was suffering severe pain, but he enjoyed being of service until he was simply too sick.
I will miss his interesting tales about exotic places, his waxing eloquent on the merits of a particular restaurant, chef, cookbook or recipe, his delicious meals, sitting around the table for holiday dinners with him and Doris making hilarious conversation, observing with what tenderness he treated Mary Lou and how he maintained such a deep connection with Donna.
He would hate this… wherever his spirit is, I'm sure it is kicking up a fuss and making things more interesting.
Enjoying a meal in Marin, 2011
August 14, 2013
Photographing the Bay in 2010
August 14, 2013
Kim and Mary Lou
Donna Odierna
August 14, 2013
Lisa
August 14, 2013
Joaquin and camera on the Bay, mid 1980s
August 14, 2013
cynthia odierna
August 14, 2013
He was a cherished member of the extended family and even communicated in the family language. F.A.B if you're not fluent in Grantonese. May he rest in peace.
I will miss you, Joaquin. Visits to the Bay Area will never be the same without your quirky and informative, personalized tours!
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