Jonathan Edwin Grisham

GRISHAM, Jonathan Edwin - The world became a darker place on September 16 with the sudden passing of one of its bright stars, Jonathan Edwin Grisham. Jon was born in Long Beach, CA on July 19, 1958. He attended UC Irvine, where he earned a bachelor of arts in 1981. He went on to attain his master of arts in psychology from Pepperdine University in 1982. Jon attended medical school at UC San Francisco, and graduated in 1986. While in San Francisco, he fell in love with the woman he would eventually marry, Andrea Walhof-Grisham. His love for the Bay Area and children led him to a residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Oakland from 1986 to 1989. He continued there as a fellow in pediatric emergency medicine from 1989 to 1991. There he was valued for his bright mind, compassion, and sense of humor. He was a favorite teacher among the resident physicians for his warm, engaging personality as well as his ability to teach them the finer points of pediatric emergency medicine. He was an attending physician in the emergency department there until the time of his death. Jon also held a position as Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF from 1992 to the time of his death. Jon was published widely on the subjects of pain management and conscious sedation in children. He wrote numerous chapters for pediatric textbooks and is well regarded in the greater pediatric community for his work. Jon loved life and all would agree that he lived it to its fullest. He will be remembered for his sharp wit, his infectious energy and giggle, and his insightful optimism. He was a generous soul who gave of himself in every way, whether that meant helping a friend in need or hosting large fundraisers for Children's Hospital at his home. In 2004, Jon and his family moved from Rockridge to Truckee, where he was able to combine two of his passions: the Sierras and skiing. An avid outdoorsman, Jon truly felt that the Sierras were where he was meant to be. He spent much time this past year hiking and biking in the hills in and around his property. Jon was predeceased by his father, Jack Edwin Grisham. He is survived by his mother, Ruth Wright, of Long Beach; devoted wife, Andrea Walhof-Grisham; loving children, Jonneke and Luke; sister, Julie Grisham and her partner, Kenneth Winters; step-mother, Patty Grisham; mother-in-law, Brigitte van der Meulen, and numerous grieving aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws. His death also creates a huge void among his family of friends and colleagues. Donations in Jon's memory can be made to the Truckee Trails Foundation, P.O. Box 1751, Truckee, CA, 96160 or Global Pediatric Alliance, 10 Van Cleave Way, Oakland, CA 94619. A celebration of Jon's life is being planned on October 15th in the Bay Area, location to be announced, and details about it can be obtained by contacting JGMD@MAC.COM.