Matthew Chisholm Obituary

Matthew Aaron Chisholm

1977 - 2015

Matthew Aaron Chisholm was born in Oakland and educated in the Oakland Public Schools. He attended the University of California at Santa Cruz and earned a BS in Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Linguistics. After graduation Matt moved to San Francisco, worked at various tech jobs and co-founded the startup Mosuki. He made several trips throughout Europe and Asia, carrying only a day pack, and somehow managed to visit Berlin every time. In 2011 Matt moved to Berlin where he continued to work in tech. In 2012 Matt, and co-founder Felix Schulte, established the successful start up: GoodsCloud/NewStore. Matt was the architect and chief technical officer of GoodsCloud where he built a great engineering culture and a quality place for engineers to work.

Matt was a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars and Dr. Who. He loved baking chocolate chip cookies, brownies and pies. He was an artist, photographer, wordsmith and designer of fonts, dice, playing cards, chess boards, T shirts, a Berlin subway map, The Periodic Table of Europeans and much more. Matt was creative, kind, smart, complex, independent, quirky, funny, adventurous, literate, compassionate, private, brave and loving.

Matt, who never smoked, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive stage IV lung cancer in February. He returned from Berlin to Oakland in April. He died in his childhood home on the morning of the winter solstice, at the age of 38.

Matt's mourners include his parents, Linda and Charlie Chisholm, his brother and fiercely devoted caretaker, Alex Chisholm, and many other family members. He is also survived by his girlfriend Mirela Mustata and legions of loyal friends.

Matt did what he loved, surrounded by great friends, family and colleagues. He really lived his life. Farewell Matt.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Chisholm

9 Entries

Diez Roggisch

March 1, 2016

Dear Linda, Charlie, Alex and Mirela,

I became aware of Matt way over ten years ago through one of our shared passions - the Python programming language. He as well as me were frequent contributors to the back then very relevant newsgroup about that programming language - which prided itself for it's welcoming nature to newbies, which he has been a contributing factor to.

A few years later, he applied for a job at my company. I was thrilled to meet somebody I held in high regards, and while it didn't work out for him joining us, he started to work for a mutual friend - and thus we stayed in touch.

What can I say? Every encounter proved he was an amiable, kind-hearted, knowledgeable person who I deeply enjoyed conversing with. As things go, we didn't became close friends - because the eddies of life kept us in hearing distance, but never brought us closer to form a deeper bonding.

Nonetheless - I'm fighting back tears writing this, and am pained to learn about his demise. May this statement of grief give you the tiniest bit of solace by reinforcing an obvious knowledge - you lost a son, brother and partner who was special, and for whom people cared about.

giampaolo rodola

January 24, 2016

Matt was my lead engineer at Goodscloud in Berlin, I've been working with him for 3 months. He was smart, had excellent technical skills (really) but above all he was a genuine truly gentle soul. I will never forget his humanity.

January 21, 2016

Matt always had/has a way of making people laugh. He's a wonderful precious gift to our lives.
Thank you Matt for being here.
I'm sad your gone.

January 18, 2016

Dear Linda,Charlie,and Alex,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I can not imagine how difficult has been for you. Only passage of time and his memories can help you withstand the loss and sorrow. I wish you all easier time.

Sincerely with love,
Zarrin

Cathy Fuglestad

January 18, 2016

Dear Linda and family, I'm am so shocked and saddened by the news of Matt's passing. What a brilliant man he was and it is so unfair that cancer struck him so young. We love you and are sending prayers for your comfort...Cathy, Tom and Alaina Fuglestad

January 17, 2016

I was shocked to see the news of Matt's passing in today's paper and awed by what he accomplished. My thoughts are with you all! Julie Freestone

Denise Milner

January 17, 2016

Linda and family,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Matt from childhood. His life journey was incredible. An amazing person. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Denise Milner

Linda Gjelsteen Richmond

January 16, 2016

To the Chisholm family: So very sorry for your loss. There's really no words, except that all those good memories will heal you in time. Chas, he looked like you. I'm praying for you all.

January 11, 2016

My deepest sympathy goes to the Chisholm 's family. Very sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with family, and friends and be comfort by his Word at Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor.15:26)

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