Jack C. Welisch

Jack C. Welisch December 31, 1921-February 11, 2006 Jack died peacefully Saturday evening with his family at his side, after a courageous fight with leukemia. Jack was born and raised in San Francisco. He attended University of California at Berkeley until joining the Flying Golden Bears as a pilot for the Marine Air Corps. After returning from WWII, Jack graduated from Berkeley. He then joined his father's commodities firm, Welisch & Company, as the only domestic rice broker in the US. Jack took over the business upon his father's death, and stayed in the industry for 55 years. Although Jack retired in 2000, he remained an interested observer of the business and continued to treasure the many friendships he had formed. In 1950, Jack married Marion Johnston. They lived in Tiburon until they moved in 1956 to their family home in Belvedere, where they raised their three children, Anne, John, and Cris. Jack was a passionate duck hunter, fly fisherman, skier and golfer. He and his family enjoyed many years of tennis at the Belvedere Tennis Club, where Marion and Jack were founding members. He learned to love the wilderness in his early teens, hiking in the Sierras with his older brother, Walter. Some of Jack's happiest times were as a member of the McCloud River Fly Fishing Club; picnicking and walking with family and friends, teaching his children and grandchildren not just the art of fly fishing, but a fine appreciation for nature. He and Marion also enjoyed their many vacations spent with friends in Montana. Jack was also a voracious reader, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, always curious and articulate, tempered with a great sense of humor and fun. He and Marion traveled the world, exploring both the less-traveled roads and the cities of many foreign countries. Most of all-for the kids, Jack was the best dad, Grampy, uncle, friend, confidante, teacher, and for Marion, he was also the perfect companion! Survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marion Johnston Welisch; daughters, Anne Falltrick and Cristine Welisch; son, John Welisch; son-in-law, Robert Falltrick; daughter-in-law, Victoria Welisch; grandchildren, Sarah and William Falltrick and Alexandra and Gina Welisch; sister, Marjorie Taylor of Burlingame; sister-in-law, Jean Oller of Belvedere; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom shared in his wisdom and love. The family has planned a gathering to celebrate Jack's life on February 27th, from 4 - 6 p.m., at the San Francisco Yacht Club, 98 Beach Road, Belvedere. For those not able to attend and in lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to: Hospice of Marin, 17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Larkspur, 94939, the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, Trout Unlimited, or the charity of your choice. Jack's interest in life and the world is best expressed in a quote by Maya Angelou," I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."