Martin Beresford

1937 - 2019

Martin Beresford

July 4, 1937-January 14, 2019

Coming of age at the end of World War II, Martin Beresford's education (graduate of St. John's College, Oxford, in economics and philosophy), aptitude (officer of the Parachute Regiment in the British Army) and personality served him well in an international career that took him to London, Brussels, Hong Kong, Tokyo and San Francisco. He worked for Cadbury Schweppes, Proctor & Gamble, and McKinsey & Co., among other multinationals. His last assignment was in Tokyo as head of Asia for KMV. He retired when it was acquired by Moody's in 2002.

Martin's youthful beginnings as a pugilist found success and notoriety while on the Oxford boxing team, in part for breaking visiting Rhodes Scholar Kris Kristofferson's nose in a sparring match, and in part for the few quid he earned boxing outside school.
Martin also loved tennis, running, cycling, and sailing (member of the South End Rowing Club). But it was hang-gliding that captivated him most. An advanced hang-glider pilot, he relished riding on the wind at Ft. Funston and elsewhere, giving up flying reluctantly at the age of 72.
He enjoyed reading, reciting, and writing poetry. He published a book of haiku that distills his memories of wartime London, his British Army days, loves and deaths, God, and most of all, hang-gliding.
Dinner party conversation at the Beresfords' often turned to discussions of the merits of free markets, global events, and the after-life; tales of his cat's latest antics, and occasionally Martin playing his tuba, blended with plentiful fine wine.
He was active in the Queen's Club and the Japan Society of Northern California, and was a director of the Marina Community Association and the Presidio Planning Association.
Born in London on the fourth of July 1937, he and his family spent the war years in Somerset, England. He became an American citizen in 1996. He died at home in San Francisco, age 81. His ashes will be scattered during a final flight over Ft. Funston.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Masae Matsumoto, of San Francisco, and his sister, Susan Marshall, of Wells-next-the-Sea, England.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in his honor to the SPCA San Francisco, RSPCA UK, Salvation Army San Francisco, or Salvation Army UK.
A gathering to celebrate Martin's life will be held Sunday, Feb 10, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. at the Festa Lounge, 1825-A Post St, 2nd floor in Japantown, SF.