In Memoriam, Jason Wertz

We received the shocking news that our friend, Jason Wertz passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago. Jason was the loving partner of our session bassoonist, Ned Howey. Our hearts go out to Ned, Jason's family, my roommate James who was his best friend, and all of Jason's many other friends, clients and admirers.

Jason always seemed like a kind of a post-modern prince to me--a wildly intelligent, witty, charming, prickly, sweet, and complex being whose high standards motivated all around him to just be... well, better. He excelled in his field--architecture--but he was also literate, super-savvy in the ways of pop-culture, and famously fashion-conscious. You definitely felt cool if he complimented something you were wearing.

Jason lived at our loft for a few months when he first moved to San Francisco from New Orleans. I treasure that time I got to know him, and how we bonded over the Simpsons, Lord of the Rings, the absurd cuteness of our cats, Battlestar Galactica, and the hilariousness of the word, "dauphin". I remember him coming home after meeting Ned and how he had a big crush on this tall rehead & how we jokingly conjectured about what the name Ned was short for...Nedward? Or?

I hope Jason won't disapprove of a quote from Hamlet to sum up how sorely we'll miss him:

Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight sweet prince;
and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.