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William Mixter Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for William Mixter
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Rick Tarnas
December 13, 2025
Thank you for our friendship all those years, Jason.
You were the only person I knew who, in an uncanny parallel with my own life path, went to Harvard, then to Esalen, then to Carmel Valley, then to the Bay Area and Marin. You would go to each place a few years before me, but we would always overlap. (It got to the point where I asked you to please talk to me before you made your next decision about where to move, since it seemed that I would eventually find myself in the same place even if for my own reasons.) I enjoyed many conversations, and all the times we played in our rock band together at Esalen. I hope you feel the continuing love from those you left behind sixteen years ago. Love, Rick
Richard Mixter
December 13, 2024
I hope there is good music in Heaven.
Meredith
February 20, 2024
Hi Daddy,
Your grandson, Jackson Ryan Szot, is 2.5 years old now and he loves music despite hearing loss in his right ear, he never lets it slow him down. He dances too! He´s so smart and has an amazing memory. He is kind and sweet and full of empathy. He is hilarious and loves to make others laugh. I tell him stories about the grandfather Jason in heaven. I know you would have loved and embraced him so much. We´re expecting our first daughter in July. We miss you Daddy and hope you are in peace.
With love,
Meredith
Richard W. Mixter
December 12, 2023
I am remembering that sunny Spring morning when we met at the Spee Club at Harvard. I wish I had skipped class and that we had spent that entire morning together.
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Andy Smith
March 6, 2022
Jason and I played blues and rock music in 3 incarnations - with Craig Enright and Miles Martin for a one-off at the Far Inn (AKA The Cabaret) North of Esalen, then multiple times with the Esalen Band (both in the '70s - early and late), then finally in Marin County in the early 2000s. I only learned just of his passiing, soon after I found a picture Christmas card of his beautiful family taken on the beach while looking for some photos of my sister in the attick.
I was younger by over ten years than Jason, so looked up to him among the pantheon of significant people at Esalen. He gave me some rolfing sessions (I only had a minimum of character armor as a teenager I recall him saying, or something to that effect) and let me try his motorcycle, though I could not get out of gear on the Los Roches hill at Myrtle's, so he walked up to retrieve it from me. In around 2003 Jason turned me on to "Please Send Me Somebody to Love" on Paul Butterfield's Better Days LP, and "It Must Be Jelly Baby..." the guitar solos on each I learned pretty much note-for-note. Jason was a terrific blues harmonica player, really ferocious when he got going.
My thoughts and prayers to his family, hoping the pain of their loss now quite some years ago has been blunted somewhat. It was an honor to know your father.
Mary Mixter
October 2, 2018
We love you Jason. We miss you. Hope you can see how well we are all doing. Oceans of love, Marylou
August 10, 2014
Congratulations on your Masters Degree Mary, that must of been a lot of hard work. What degree did you get? Your girls and Will are so grown up and beautiful.I'm sure you are very proud of them. I certainly have my moments on occasions, that Jason is gone from this plain, but is still a charged presence here.If you ever come this way to Monterey, let me know. I would love to see you. I am going to visit Rianna and her boyfriend Tyler in a month or two, who live in Sonoma, in Guernvelle.They got engaged last year. No wedding date yet. Would love to see you for a bit and meet for coffee if you'd like.
Lol to you all.
Diana
So proud of Meredith earning her Master's Degree
mary louise mixter
August 9, 2014
June 13, 2014
Happy Birthday Jay. You would have been 69 today!
Jason in Hygiene with Basil, Catherine & Lori
Basil Irwin
April 13, 2014
Jason, Catherine and I loved you and we still deeply miss you, and thinking of you gone still brings tears to our eyes.
Basil Irwin & Catherine Willis, Longmont, CO
marylou mixter
October 24, 2012
thinking about you on this beautiful fall day
mary louise mixter
May 14, 2012
Jason, our daughters are graduating from college and our son is heading off to college. If you are observing us from a different dimension, or watching down from heaven, then you are aware of the very bitter-sweet feelings that are swirling about. We are all so happy and elated, so proud of their accomplishments, and excited about the future-it is such a fun time, and ok, there is a little fear in there too, but this is undoubtedly just the first of many big events where we really miss you. We can't just give you big hugs and kisses and take photos with you but must connect on a deeper, heartfelt, spiritual level.
You are a great spirit Jason and clearly you were the love of my life (not that I am opposed to meeting the next true (where have you been my whole life?) love! You visit me from time to time in dreams and when all is said and done, only the essence of who we truly are remains, only the eternal love.
The kids and I love to revel in the over two-dozen photo albums of the amazing memories we shared. Someday soon I hope to get all those VHS transferred to DVD. Hope you can join us at the party next month!
January 12, 2011
So sorry to find him gone. My son Miles & I were frends with Jason when we were at Esalen. He was studying Rolfing & I was on the staff there. He was good to Miles & they played in a band together. Miles played drums....
Jason & I went places together. We rode up to Nepenthe's on his BMW motercycle for lunch; He & his girl friend at the time, DeeDee, Miles, my black lab, Noir & myself all piled in his car, laundry & all to make our weekly trip to town. We bought groceries, did our laundry, headed back down the coast, ran into some recent mudslides,& had to turn around & spent the night at the Hyatt Regency,we all stayed in one room, dog all.
We hung out together as friends & met up again in Carmel when I was studying Massage Therapy & he was teaching some of the classes at Regina Pitts Studio. Later we both lived in Carmel Valley just around the corner from each other, I on one side of the river & he on another. He had me come to his home to do massage outside under the trees with "Lightin' laying under the table. He would always say "I'm healed, I'm healed. each time I would finish. He was quiting smoking at the time, would buy a package of cigs, leave them at the village store & each time he wanted a smoke he would have to get in his car to go get one which was his way of making difficult for himself.
We kept in touch, the last time I talked to him was when he moved to Berkeley with his new wife & said he loved it there said he enjoyed being able to walk out his front door & go to the movies.
Jason was always in good taste & was fun to share with. He was a positive influence on Miles since I was a single mom & Jason was a good man figure for him.
Thank you, Jason, for the wonderful memories.
Frances Martin,
James McWhorter
April 28, 2010
I met Jason in the wonderful world of the 1970s in Monterey. He kept up on pro football [New England Patriots as I recall], ate steak for breakfast, rode a motorcycle [let me try it once but that was it for me..], led me and a friend on a journey to Tahoe, had a subscription to books on tape [and listened to them..], was constantly thinking and doing imaginative things. A great and interesting person I am thankful for knowing.
Linda Maderis
April 27, 2010
I found this last night and am still trying to comprehend the reality. Jason my friend you were always a phone call away, your light and your life force so bright and so warm. You made me a better person. So many times in a difficult situation I hear your words and I know just what I want to do. Just so you know Jason, I decided to decide.
Meredith, Camille, and Will, although I never met you I spent so many hours listening to your dad's stories about you. All of them wonderful, all of them warm, and most of them really funny. You were truly loved and appreciated with pride for your individuality.
I met Jason in the 70's through a mutual friend, but became his friend through, of all things, his beloved "Lightning". I will forever cherish the memories of this most remarkable man.
I'm Very Sad
Gordon Bell
April 19, 2010
I am shocked and in grief and disbelief ...a friend from the 70's in Carmel Valley (or Carmel) not sure it's been that long. I was a part of his past life there in Carmel and met him as a fantastic Rolfer. Neither Jason or I had sired children then. He certainly will be missed as he was revered and loved by all who knew him then.
Beth Jacobson Neff
April 14, 2010
This is such a sad time. After all of these years to find this terrible news on a written page. For three days i have been trying to find the words i need and just cannot find them. So i will say that i am forever grateful that Jay was a wonderful part of my life for so many years and that whenever i think of him , i smile. My last gift from him was last year when he left a message on my machine ... it was him singing John Prines "The Glory of Love". The whole thing sung while driving in Tahoe! i listened to that a thousand times at least ! Thank you Jason ! And for letting me have the "priveledge" of wishing you a Happy Birthday last june ! How many blessings and a few heartaches i have been given ! And only from you would i accept them ! Bless you my dear! To Meredith,Camille and Will, my most sincere sympathy at the loss of your wonderful and somewhat silly father. You were his greatest achievement and his greatest love.We are all so fortunate to have had Jason in our lives. And to share that little piece of him we will always carry is a small comfort. With much love and in sympathy
Dina Chapman
April 12, 2010
"Pain results from the *intention* to withdraw." I remember Jason saying that so often. I'm not withdrawing now, but his loss cuts so deep. I only just learned of Jason's death, though I was fortunate to have reconnected with him recently by phone and email after 30 years of traveling in different directions.
Meredith, Camille, and Will: As painful as his passing must be for you, I know that you each carry the gift of his extraordinary spirit. His was the soul of the New Age alchemist, capable of transforming birth defects and psychological trauma into golden opportunities for rebirth. He did this for me. He did this for so many others.
You were his greatest miracles and I thank you each for being born and for keeping his spirit alive and well in our world.
With love and sympathy,
Dina Chapman
- an old friend and former client
Lucy Bingham
February 2, 2010
What a shock to read of Jason's death. I accidentally stumbled across the news. It's hard to imagine the world without him. I hadn't seen him in many decades but he was a big part of my life in the late 60's and early 70's: Woods Hole, Esalen, Berkeley, even once a wierd trip to Las Vegas where he was testing out a theory on black jack; he was a passionate advocate of life in all its myriad forms. He will always have a special place in my heart.
Betty Wall
January 27, 2010
Jason came into my life in 1977 and my life changed completely after the Rolfing. He was a such a light and love and we became friends. He was such an inspiring teacher. May he continue to heal himself and others where he is now, where he can't forget that love is all there is.
January 12, 2010
January 12, 2010 Jason Mixter was my brother-in-law. Energetic, and outgoing, social, and intelligent, he could also be pensive, moody,and mysterious-guess that's the gemini nature. One foot in this world-yet one foot in 'the other'? maybe that's why it feels he can't really be gone-he did indeed leave much of himself in his three beautiful children!!! Jason will be missed by my family & I-we are richer for having known him-yet somehow dimished by his leaving.
Michael Barry
January 11, 2010
Jason was my tennis buddy when I first started playing, 6 or 7 years back. We played frequently, usually late, and enjoyed long sets that would go back and forth. Jason never wanted to quit, always asking “how about one more”? If I would decline, he would push for a cool down drill. He was very methodical in his approach to tennis, as I suspect he was to many things in his life. I went through his Rolfing program and saw a similar approach – knowledgeable, analytical, and thorough. I believe this was because Jason was a deep thinker who enjoyed contemplating the fundamentals of the activities he enjoyed, and human nature itself. Jason touched many of us with his good heart, which will live on.
Judy Tatelbaum
January 9, 2010
Jason and I were friends in the 70's in Carmel Valley.
I haven't seen him since. Still he has been and will always be unforgettable. I am very sad at his passing.
Alexandra Mixter
January 8, 2010
My condolences to Jason's loved ones during this difficult time.
Lovingly,
Alexandra Mixter
(Daughter of Richard Mixter, Granddaughter of Worthington Mixter)
January 6, 2010
William Mixter's father was my first cousin, and I see that my son Rick has made an entry in the guestbook. Add my condolences to his. Worthington Mixter, "Mike"
Richard W. Mixter
January 5, 2010
I offer my condolences to Jason's family. He was an inspiration and something of a legend to me when we were both undergraduates at Harvard. He would periodically take a semester off for some picaresque adventure, then appear unexpectedly with wonderful tales. I will remember him. --RWM
Attila Vaas
January 5, 2010
Thank you Jason for guiding my feet along the Path. You always treated me as a brother and that inspiration will always be within my heart and soul. Your quiet, unassuming presence will be sorely missed! Rock on, dear brother in the Light.
Ken Dychtwald
January 4, 2010
Jason and I trained together for nearly two years to be "encounter group" leaders at Esalen in the early 1970s, under the tutlege of Will Schutz. Becuase of the intensity of the program, we learned quite a lot about each other - at that young stage in both of our lives.
Jason had a deep fascination with what made people tick and with his own inner swirls. Yet, what I remember most about him was his wry and handsome smile, his leather jacket flying in the wind as his soared down the coast highway on his motorcycle and the angelic sound of his voice when he sang.
I was a pretty imcompetent musician and worse singer - but because Jason and I lived very near to each other, we spent many, many nights playing, singing and laughing together - with no one to please but ourselves. I loved the grace and beauty of his voice - my favorite of his songs was the Jessie Colin Young "Youngblood."
I felt a but crushed when I learned of his death. He was a kind, gentle, emotional, loving, questioning man.
He'll be missed.
Ken
Arthur Munyer
January 4, 2010
I am deeply saddened by Jason's passing and remember him as a man wearing soft wire glasses, a smile and a lot of rhythm and blues. Being around Jason opened my heart to a huge feeling of joy and laughter...I love you Jason :)
Claire Parrish
January 4, 2010
I am deeply saddened by the news today that Jason is gone. He was a wonderful man and an excellent Rolfer. He was instrumental in the style and form my body work took. Now,as a Chiropractor and teacher, his work still influences mine. He will be missed.
Rick Tarnas
January 1, 2010
Jason was a close friend, a soul brother. We played together in our Esalen rock and roll band in Big Sur back in the 1970s, which was always great fun -- he played blues harmonica while I played guitar, along with Deane, Andy, Eric, and the great girl singers we had.
For some reason, Jason's path seemed to take him to one place after another several years before I would independently end up at the exact same place: He went to Harvard just before I did in the 60s; then he went to Esalen where I first met him in 1974, during my first week there as he led a session during an "Experiencing Esalen" workshop; we got along right away, almost like recognizing each other. Then he moved to Carmel Valley, and many years later, that's where I and my family moved as well. By then, he had moved to the Bay Area, where of course I too eventually moved, repeating the pattern once again. I told him to please check with me in advance before he moved to the next place, as I would like to have a say in my destiny. He forgot to follow through on that request this time.
I feel so many mixed emotions with his sudden departure and our loss. But I know that at some level he is cradled wherever he is, and our paths will cross again in that mysterious way that life and death have. For now, may he rest in peace a moment, before the next performance, the next healing session, the next shared laugh.
December 30, 2009
my pain was so bad I was going to a Chiropractor daily. After Jason rolfed me I only visited a chiropractor 3 or 4 times a year. He changed my physical life which effected my entire life. His family should be so proud of how he spent his life helping people phsically and emotionally. He will be missed.
Sam Matar
Diana Balesteri
December 25, 2009
Jason had played an important, powerful, significant, soul level roll in my life since the early 80's. His presence, our phone conversations, his incredible Rolfing sessions, his brilliance, his sensitivity and our unwavering friendship, truly touched my heart and soul. I so admired his dedication and unconditional LOVE for his family and friends. He will be missed by all that knew and loved him. Rianna and I send our condolences to the family and our Love, Blessings and prayers are with you.
Namaste'
Kate Nace Day
December 23, 2009
“When he shall die,
take him and cut him out in little stars
and he will make the face of heaven so fine
that all the world will be in love with night
and pay no worship to the garish sun.”
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
Meredith Mixter
December 23, 2009
Hi everyone, I am truly touched by your entries. My dad is a huge part of who I am today and it warms my heart to read how he positively influenced your lives as well. His memorial service will be held on January 23, 2010 at the Open Door Christian Church 1915 Novato Blvrd. Novato, CA 94947 at 10 am, lunch to follow.
Everyone is welcome, thank you for your love and support.
bruce scott
December 22, 2009
Jason brought me home to my body. Thirty-four years ago, Jason's rolfing gift awakened my ability to feel more deeply and laugh more often. My life was changed forever. Through his, or rather, your natural exquisite sensitivity, humor and willingness to always show up completely, I feel you as my brother. Your exquisite sensitivity, generosity and love comes through, even now, whatever dimension you may be in, and I cannot yet conceive. I am so, so happy that you and our son Boye, got to know each other, touch souls, giggle together and play. His body and mine carry you with us dear Jason.
Meigra Simon
December 21, 2009
I am so sad to hear of Jason's passing. He had a huge impact on me and was in the process of Rolfing my son as well. He will be missed for his wry sense of humor, compassionate heart, brilliant mind and talented hands. A rare and unique man. I am honored to have known him and greatly saddened by his death. I send his family my condolences and am thinking of them.
Paul David Tuff
December 21, 2009
Jason, you were a masterful Rolfer, an inspiring mentor, an engaging teacher, a father-figure, and a cherished friend. I am so thankful we re-connected in August and you were able to give me 9 more Rolfing sessions before you left us. Your passing is an enormous loss to those of us who loved you, to all those you helped, and to the world of Rolfing.
Andy Crow
December 19, 2009
My name is Andy Crow. I have been a friend of Jason's since the early 1970s. Although I presently live in Utah, please let me know when there will be a memorial service.
Thank you. [email protected]
Laurie Lioness Parizek
December 19, 2009
Jason was a warm and wonderful man.
He was a good friend and a vital person
interested in music, sports and a fine Rolfer and teacher. I knew him at Esalen where he was a part of our community for some years. He was a dashing fellow who loved to play music and ride his big bike. He will be missed by many who respected and loved him, including me.
Clif Crowder
December 18, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of Jason's passing. I last played tennis with him in October and was impressed by his very kind demeanor and sportsmanship.
Clif Crowder
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