JEROME "JERRY" LIPETZKY

LIPETZKY, JEROME "JERRY" Jerry passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on September 7, 2010. As a man of good humor along with considerable talent and passion for an eclectic array of interests, Jerry was often at the center of a variety of circles comprised of family, friends, admirers and co-conspirators. Those circles over many years included devotees of early American jazz, archaeology, back-packing, fly fishing, bicycle riding, bird hunting, wine making and art. In recent years he earned a following and received widespread acclaim as a plein aire artist following a 30 year career teaching high school as a much loved and respected teacher and colleague. Born in Inglewood, California in 1934, Jerry possessed an uncommon level of intellectual curiosity and sense of adventure from a young age. As a boy, he often spent his summers living and working on a cattle ranch in the Warner Springs area where he developed his great love for the outdoors. That experience was followed by a stint working on the Alaskan railroad in the summer following his senior year of high school, a degree in History from UCLA and two years of service in the United States Army, during which he married his high school sweetheart, the former Beverly Lynn Jackson. After accepting a teaching position at El Capitan High School, the Lipetzkys settled in Alpine where they raised their three children, Russ, Robin and Holly. Family vacations were spent backpacking in the Sierras, which whetted Jerry's life long love of fly fishing. As an advocate of independent thought and an opponent of blind acceptance of conventional wisdom, Jerry's unique teaching style and encouragement of critical thinking impacted many young minds. Through his sponsorship of the El Capitan Bicycle Club, Jerry also introduced many of his students to sore muscles and the east county's beautiful and sparcely populated back country. Always lovers of nature and the outdoors, Jerry and Lynn purchased acreage on the eastern slope of Mt. Palomar and built a small cabin that overlooked Lake Henshaw and the cattle ranch where as a teenager Jerry felt privileged to work for room and board in an environment of oaks, grasslands and small streams. It was uniquely Californian landscapes such as this that he loved so much that became the heart of his later works as an artist. In 2008, Jerry was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, and although his illness was terminal he was determined to live his life as normally as he could by continuing to enjoy his family, friends and interests in hiking, fly fishing, wine making, hunting, music and painting to the end. In the final week of his life, Jerry maintained his longtime tradition of joining friends for the opening day of dove season in the Imperial Valley. Two days later he was able to attend two artists' receptions and visit with fellow artists at Balboa Park galleries. Jerry requested that his passing be recognized with a celebratory gathering of those whose paths he crossed on his journey though life. All are welcome to attend this celebration which will held at El Monte Park in Picnic Area 4, beginning at noon on Saturday, October 2nd. Left to continue their own journies are Lynn, his wife of 54 years, daughters Robin and Holly, son Russell, grandchildren Riley, Georgia, Clara and Corinna, and various cats, chickens and llamas. In lieu of flowers, and to further Jerry's passion for conservation of the environment, donations may be made to the Back Country Land Trust at www.bclt.org.