Jacob Mathis

As I said below, Jake is indelibly linked with my rich memories of Camp Royaneh from 1953 to 1957...and I revel in those magic memories quite often and Jake is right there. I regularly cruise Google Earth and always "take a trip" to Camp Royaneh. The L-shaped pool which was Jake's domain, is still visible 71 years later. I was blessed to know him.

He was a very special person in my life as well as my physician. May he Rest In Peace.

Jake was simply an incredible man. He taught me how to swim at the brand new L-shaped pool at Camp Royaneh in 1953 where he developed the buddy system and enforced it. He became a friend over the next few years right through 1957 when I was on the staff and became a lifeguard at the pool under Jake's direction, certificate and patch presented to me by Jake. Full circle. I loved Royaneh and I loved Jake...he was special. He also had something to do with the main YMCA on Golden Gate, I seem to remember. I fondly remember the greased watermelon tussles at the deep end of the pool where drowning was a distinct possibility! He also taught us lifesaving techniques to dive under a struggling simmer to spin them around so we could grasp the swimmer around the shoulder from behind to stabilize him and bring him to safety...and to also take off your pants, tie the bottoms in a knot then make sure they were zipped or buttoned up and throw them over your head to fill the legs with air and use them as a float. Tricky to do in deep water. I think of Jake often with all my memories at Royaneh becoming an eventual Eagle Scout there. I'm sure all Jake's family members must miss him terribly...such a unique individual...and an unforgettable one.

You are the greatest and bestest friend I could ever meet! Thank you so much for all you have done for me and my family members Jacub

In Loving Memory of my Uncle Jake. In Loving Memory of my mother Beverly Rose Nicol.(Beverly Rose Mathis). Brother and sister are together again.

Wow so sorry to here you go so soon Jake. I wil l miss you very much . Thanks to my father Dr. Robert wi)iam Aanestad for introducing you to me and fixibg my back twice i n the 80s. And our memories with the caretaker Jim Wilkins At Camp Royaneh in Cazadero. A great Boy Scout Camp with many wonderful things to do their. God bless you Jacub and I hope to meet up with you in our next adventure. Eagle Scout 1974 Erik Aanestad.

Jake taught me how to swim at Royaneh and was the loveliest person. I seem to remember him at the Golden Gate YMCA teaching swimming as well. Sorry to hear of his passing...I'll always remember him with love and kindness. I think he was still at Royaneh the summer of '57 when I was a lifeguard at the pool and on the staff.

He was great. He saved me from a life in a wheelchair. He listened when no other doctor would, or could. I'm so sorry to learn at this late date of his death. His name is still spoken and admired.