Yesterday, the San Francisco Chronicle ran an obituary on Ed Weber, which included quotes from family, colleagues and growers. Weber, the UC Cooperative Extension county director and viticulture farm advisor in Napa County, died Dec. 31 while riding his bike.
Here are some of the comments:
"He was not only the lead guy in providing vineyard and viticulture advice, but also had oversight of the Master Gardeners program and 4-H activities in the county. Ed was a quiet, solid, good-natured deliverer of knowledge and competence, and he did it in a way that never ruffled anyone's feathers. He was always perceived as being helpful and thoughtful and never critical." - Ted Hall, who owns the Long Meadow Ranch vineyard near Rutherford
"He was a really enthusiastic athlete and outdoors person. ... He loved biking. He loved hiking. If there was a lake, he'd jump into it. He was real involved in the boys' sports teams. That was all pleasurable to him; it wasn't dutiful. I think he had a great boyhood. I do not think that man had an enemy." - Ed Weber's sister Susan Weber
"He was a consummate professional. He was well respected and admired by everyone in the industry. As the county adviser on viticulture, he was the go-to man for your problems and concerns. He always responded with caring concern and a knowledge base that was astonishing." - Sandy Elles, executive director of the Napa County Farm Bureau
The Napa Valley Register last Friday included an obituary on Weber from his family. Also last Friday, Wines & Vines chronicled the loss of a wine production champion, with contributions from the wine industry, farmers and colleagues.
"He was an incredible resource for not only Napa Valley but the whole North Coast grape community." - Andy Walker of UC Davis
"He wasn't high profile like some people here in the valley, but he was part of the fabric of the community and the soul of the valley. He was knowledgeable and steady, providing good advice when we needed it." - Andy Beckstoffer, a former president of Napa Valley Grapegrowers
"Ed always had a smile, and he was always ready to help, whether it was a 'dumb' question or a complex problem. He was also willing to pitch in and really help, not just talk. His death was a tremendous loss to the Napa grower community." - David Freed of UCC Group
"Ed took his job seriously, but he never lost sight of what was most important, his family." - David Whitmer, Napa County Agricultural