Jeffrey C. Bitzer
March 7, 1959 - February 17, 2015

"There Are Those by Nathan Levy There are those and they're not few, who see a sky and just see blue. There are those and strong their might, who look at stars and just see light. They will hear Brahms' symphony, and all they'll hear is melody. They look at me and even you, yet all they see is a face or two. But there are those, and they are few, who see much more, than others do. They see beyond the blue of sky, beyond just lights, for stars will die. They hear much more, than a melody. They hear the heart of a symphony. And they can see, beyond my face, into a more secluded place. And because their cups hold a larger store, when they drink, they drink far more. Happy Birthday Jeff. Beth"

"Happy Birthday, Jeff... "

"It is with great sadness I receive word of Jeffs passing, what seems like not so long ago we spent time exploring the fields and woods around our homes. Memories and experiences with Jeff will always be a part of me"

"I am so sad to hear of Jeffs passing. we haven´t been in touch for 2 decades but recently I had heard from Vidya about him. I allways apreciated Jeffs positivity and his brilliant mind....i only just read about Jeffs death right now.. I am greatful for the time I have spent with Jeff even if it it wasn´t that much. Seeing his picture today again brings him back to me. thank you Jeff LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES"

"I am one of many who can say that knowing Jeff made me a different person. I still have several of his compositions from that junior recital in which I performed, and lots of memories of the year plus we spent together. . No one met Jeff Bitzer without coming out the other side seeing the world differently. MY heart goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Bitzer, who were so kind to me, and so clearly the joyous source of Jeff's uniqueness. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. "

"To Jeff's Family, Janice and Friends, While I hadn't seen Jeff in many years, it's remarkable how immediate someone's presence becomes just by invoking their memory. In the case of Jeff, nothing but goodness and positivity floods my being, and now such sadness that he is gone. From the time I met Jeff and Janice in Boulder in 1990, his heart and kindness welcomed and embraced me and always made me feel safe. I thank Jeff for all that he gave while physically with us - his laugh, wit, talent, intelligence, compassion and a heart of unfathomable depth. And thank YOU for helping to shape him into who he was, and for guiding him in what were to be his last steps of his physical journey. We have been truly blessed. If his life purpose was to make love and light known in this tumultuous world, he unequivocally succeeded. "

"I am shocked and saddned that the world has lost a source of light and love. Jeff and I were classmates back in Madison, we shared time on the Memorial Union Terrace talking about life, love, and art. The cello! He was such a powerful, handsome presence--someone I looked up to and admired. Our paths crossed again a few years later in New York City. He was studying at Columbia and I at Juilliard ... or perhaps we had already gotten out of school? I don't recall. Our compositional world was hip-deep in modernism and complexity, but I was writing pretty art songs and Jeff had these fabulous songs ... he performed a couple of them with Bill Coble, a composer / trumpet player, and a small band on my concert series at Columbia Artist Management's Hall across from Carnegie back in the 80s. We fell out of touch when he went to Bali, and for that I am sorry. He chose a new path, a better one, and I am happy that he had so many people who loved him and appreciated him. I will always be grateful for the time that I got to spend with him. Please accept my sincere condolences and respect."

"I only remember Jeff as a small, blonde ball of energy who used to annoy his big sister mightily, but I can tell by the thoughtful sentiments of his wonderful friends and family that he lived a beautiful life that will continue to inspire those who knew him. Thanks for the impact you've had on the world, Jeff."

"Dear Janice and Jeff's family, My heart is with you, it's been a hard road these recent times and the loss is great. Seeing Jeff's photograph here, it is as if he is in the room, his warm big presence filling the space, drawing everyone close, to be together, share ideas, enthusiasm, spiritual insight, great movies, music, Thai food. Always kind, always laughter in his eyes and heart. Like many, I feel very close to Jeff, some heart-soul connection that never faded over time or distance. I feel with him still and feel the Love he shared with everyone, unbounded, without measure. May all his good deeds and kindnesses be spread across the sky, uncountable, sparkling like the star-studded Milky Way. May he know release and peace and may his Spirit expand and soar to the edges of the infinite where all he loved and who loved him will always meet."

"A friend of our daughter's since high school, it was our privilege to watch Jeff mature into a unique and purposeful man. Over the years he has drifted in and out of our lives like a gentle, welcome breeze. I will miss those unannounced visits and long conversations. Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his sweet soul bring all of you peace."

"I have known Jeff since the late 1980s when he was in Bali studying music on a Luce scholarship. (We - his friends - would joke and call it a "Loose" scholarship as Jeff was never one to be bound.) We were a small group of expats who gravitated towards each other and became family in what was then a small sweet village without a lot of resident "foreigners". We ate our meals together, spent all of our "free" time in each other's company. We are now all over the world but we are held together by the depth and richness and love of our common experience. Jeff was our minstrel with his guitar, our philosopher with his curious, far reaching mind, our joker with his free, unbridled spirit. I remember lots of laughter. When I first knew Jeff we used to stay up until the wee hours of the morning talking passionately about our experiences of life, spirituality, philosophy, politics. The venues have changed over the years in Bali - instead of late nights, we would periodically come together in cafes over coffee or lunch - explosive moments in time exploring the outer reaches of our human grasping hearts and minds. I would marvel at how responses came out of him at the speed of light, unfettered by a slow censoring safe route through past, always original and often hysterically funny. This is who Jeff has always been to me - a curious, compassionate, brilliant, funny, loving soul. Heart-pierced, I will never forget Jeff's rendition of Amazing Grace which he sang like it came straight from God, the Great Spirit, the Big Bang, the Void. Maybe someone here has a recording???He has given so much to us all. "

"Jeff... Thank you for being the gentle wonderful serene soul that you are, in short time you have taugh me how to live, love and thrive. im honor and humble to have known you And I will remember you in every joy I find in live in every serene moments in every beautiful tunes. Because of you I become the woman I am today Thank you Until we meet again and have that Lindt chocolate and apple juice All my love Mel-"

"A Letter to Jeff I know we've been missing you Jeff.. But I know ... you just have moved to another city The City of Light Surround by love and peace. No more suffering. Only Joy and Happiness. And I know the distance between us is just as close as the ocean and the sky They always meet in the horizon, creating the beautiful canvas for the sunrise and sunset We'll meet again one fine day... Till then... the prayer will always be the bridge between us Have a nice journey, Jeff Now you are already in His loving arm May you always be our angel praying for us from up above as we journey in this life, especially for our dear Janice and your family. "

"Jeffrey was a truly amazing person and patient. He accepted life's difficulties with great op[optimism and courage. He loved life and the freedom to be himself, yet was very humble about his abilities and achievements in life. He treated everybody as equal and that is no mean feat. Yes, the world will be a darker and meaner place without Jeff.We will remember him on every important occasion - happy and sad. I am so lucky to have known Jeff!!"

"I have not been in touch with Jeff for a long time but I want his family, friends and Janice to know how much I held him in high esteem when I spent time with him. He always had an interesting and expansive view on things, coupled with humor, insight and compassion for others. You could tell he was fascinated with life and the people around him. He lives on in our memories and when I think of him-I smile. "

"Dear Jeff, I'm sorry about the pain and suffering you must have experienced in fighting lung cancer, and I'm sorry you are gone. You were one of the smartest, level headed and talented people I've known. We knew each other in some very un-level headed environments, and even there, you always remained kind to other people and kept your sense of humor. I hope and trust now that you are free, that the source of all the humor, kindness, and gorgeous music that you created is being showered upon your dear soul. I'm grateful for the years we spent living and learning together and for the times you visited me in Chicago when you were back in Madison. I remember when we saw Buddy Guy some time ago and how much you appreciated that. Thank you for all of your compassion, humor and grace. You are missed and loved. Love and support to your parents, family, and Janice. "

"To Jeff's family. I travelled the road of life for some significant years of my life with this sensitive, intelligent and buoyant man. He shared his gifts with many. I can only imagine the challenge in losing his physical presence. His legacy and spirit remain with all of those he touched. Stay strong."

"I met Jeff and Janice in Marin county in the early 90s. Jeff was always such a sweet, sweet soul. He brimmed with intelligence, humor and deep caring. I'm sure he had his moments as all of us humans do, but I never saw or heard anything untoward from him. Nothing mean-spirited. I don't believe our souls die so I'm sure he'll be happy to know we're all missing him in his physical presence, however, I don't believe for a second that he's "gone" anywhere."

"Dear Jeff - I and so many of your old friends miss you and love you and pray for you. I remember, honor and thank you for your brilliant mind, your kindness, sweetness and generosity of spirit and all the beautiful music you created, sang and shared with me and others. Fly high, brother! love Stas"

"It's a strange thing when you haven't seen someone in many many years, and then you hear that they have left us. I remember the laughter, and the tenderness through these years. To Jeff's family, thank you for sharing Jeffrey with us. To Janice, thank you for all your care and love for him. My heart breaks with you all. "

"I didn't know Jeff so well, except for a shared context with Andrew Cohen over years in Marin Country. He always impressed me by his smarts and his direct positivity. I still remember one time in a meeting how we all were taking notes on some important subject whereas he wasn't. I definitely had the impression however that he was remembering everything."

"Jeff was a very dear friend to me. I met him in Bali in 1992. He actually changed the course of my life (for better or for worse!). He introduced me to Andrew Cohen, a spiritual teacher who I ended up spending 13 years with. I reconnected with Jeff (after not seeing him for about 8 years) in Bali again about 5 years ago, after I had left Andrew's community and after Jeff had gone through a big life-change due to a major illness. Jeff and I became close friends again and I spent a lot of time with him whenever I was in Bali. I loved his humor, his inexhaustible positivity, his refreshing perspective, honesty and directness. He came to visit me in Spain and was planning to come again before he fell ill this last time. I saw him the last time in Bali in August. One evening he told me he really wanted to take me to an Indian restaurant that he thought I would love. The drive there took an hour and a half-which Jeff thought nothing of really. I was fuming internally when we got there but once we were there the setting was so spectacular that I forgave him! Towards the end of my trip I got dengue fever and Jeff came over every day to bring me food and to cheer me up. Right before I left we had lunch together at Indus restaurant and talked about seeing each other in a month in Spain. He had offered to analyze our accounts and help us set up some new systems. That was never destined to happen. I cannot believe I will never see him again. I am so sad and will miss him immensely. My deepest condolences to Jeff's family and his dearest friend Janice. "

"Dear Jeff - wherever you are, I hope you are receiving all the wonderful love and prayers that are flying to you from around the world. Working with you and Janice at Janice's business in the early 90s in California is one of the funnest memories of my time over those years living in Marin. You were so talented, smart and funny. I'll always remember the great discussions about all kinds of things and the many laughs we had (that often interrupted the work flow!) And your beautiful voice....I imagine you singing with the angels now. You will be missed, but always remembered with much warmth and a big smile."

"I remember Jeff in Marin County. He was always very warm, kind, and fun. I was struck by his devotion to Janice, how sweet it was and how sweet they were together. He was an all round talented guy, a wonderful musician. As many friends from the old Marin days are getting together again it saddens me that he will not be with us to enjoy the love. And yet, he will always be with us, he was and still is our brother."

"We are so very sorry to hear of Jeff's untimely passing. Although we only met once, Jeff left the impression of being a man of great talent, kindness and passion. We are privileged to be neighbors to his parents, whose grief and pain we cannot image. Our hearts go out to his family."

"To Jeff's Loved ones; I have very fond memories of Jeff in High School. Such wit, kindness, thoughtfulness, knew just what to say to make you laugh. I enjoyed every moment I spent with him. He will be greatly missed"

"I met Jeff when he arrived back to the states and became a patient in the oncology clinic where I work. I didn't have much to do with his treatments, but he always made a point to visit me at my desk every time he was in, just to chat. He was convinced I should be a singer and that my voice was an instrument. I am sorry to hear about his passing."

"Jeff's family: I am so very saddened to read of Jeff's passing. I knew Jeff back at Delaney's, which is almost 35 years ago now, but hadn't been in touch with him since then. I was in high school and played cello. Jeff gave me lessons in the banquet room at Delaney's. I just came across some of that music a few weeks ago, and was talking to my high school daughter (who is an avid musician and will be majoring in music), and reminiscing fondly about those practices. I will think of him every time I hear a cello. I am so very sorry for your loss."

"Jeff and Family: I am sadden to here of the passing of my dear friend Jeff. I've always cherished the long conversations we would have any time he came home to Verona and would walk through the woods to meet me in the prairie. We would reminisce of our crazy bus rides to and from school and the great times of running around in Hazel's woods, in search of another spot to build a fort. I enjoyed his stories of travel and work. I am so sorry for your loss. I will forever feel Jeff's presence the next visit I have to the prairie. "