Timothy James Innes

Tim Innes was born in Puyallup, Washington, in 1944. He lived in the Pacific Northwest through college, attending Puyallup High School and the University of Washington, and working his first paid newspaper job, as a reporter at the Tacoma News Tribune. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a courier for two years, based primarily at the Presidio in San Francisco. He then moved to Chicago, where he received a Master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and worked as a photo editor at the Chicago Tribune. In 1978, when a similar position became available at the San Francisco Examiner, a friend there encouraged him to apply. Tim got the job — the first of several editing roles in the news and business departments — and met colleague Leslie Thomas, whom he married two years later. The couple remained at the Examiner through its merger with the San Francisco Chronicle, in 2000, eventually retiring together in 2009.

Tim always put family first. He often reminisced about his parents, William and Miriam Innes, and the many road trips and cabin weekends that he spent with them and his younger sister, Andrea. He adored his daughter, Katie Innes of San Francisco, warmly welcomed her husband, Baldvin, into the family, and was a beloved grandpa to their two children, Brynjar and Freyja.

A lifelong baseball fan, Tim reared his daughter and grandson to be passionate San Francisco Giants supporters. He was also an avid reader, music lover, amateur genealogist, and cook. His family especially enjoyed his pancakes and pasta dishes. After a few months of deteriorating health, Tim was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis at the beginning of 2022. The disease progressed quickly, forcing him to live his final weeks at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, in Oakland. He is survived by his loving family, including his wife of 41 years, Leslie, as well as Katie, Baldvin, Brynjar, Freyja, and sister Andrea Innes of Puyallup, Washington. As per his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the San Francisco Bay. Contributions in his memory may be made to Musae (www.musae.org), the women’s chorus with which his daughter has sung since 2007, or the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

Irwin was born in Cornwall, Ontario, the third son of Louis and Tillie Segal. The family moved to NYC where he spent his childhood, then moved to Miami where he spent his youth. As a young adult, his interests and creative endeavors brought him to San Francisco in the early 60’s, where he obtained his degree in Fine Arts, in college as well as in coffee houses and museums.

Irwin’s creativity allowed him to practice art in many forms throughout his life. He spent his military service, at the time of the Korean War, in planning and design of honor ceremonies and graphics in the Washington D.C. area. In San Francisco and Inverness, he was a graphic artist, participated in “Art in Schools”, taught graphics at community colleges and maintained his own sculpture studio.

In 1989, Irwin and Janet, his partner of nigh 50 years, became cultural exchange teachers in Quito, Ecuador, where they hiked volcanoes and learned Spanish; making lifelong friendships through food, music and art.

Irwin and Janet moved to Inverness, for the second time, in 1998. Irwin enjoyed people: his large family, his friends, neighbors, and mixing with local artists in Point Reyes Open Studios. He continued to practice wood, stone, metal sculpture, painting and ceramics, inspired by the beauty of his natural surroundings.

Janet and Irwin raised their children together, in a blended family that grew to include wonderful grandchildren, stepchildren and their spouses. He will be dearly missed by: his spouse Janet; children: Amy (Erich), Jeff (Frances), Nathan (Joanna), Neysa (Mike); loving grandchildren: Emily, Jennifer (Gerry), Kyle (Denise), Violet, Ryan, Jayden, Jonathan, Josie; great grands: Ava, Harry, Max, Jazzton, Josephine; and a flock of cousins, nieces and nephews, whom he adored.

He will be remembered with love by many friends, family and caregivers; to whom we are forever grateful for their assistance in times of need. We would also like to thank By the Bay Health and West Marin Senior Services.

Giving back, Irwin willed his body to UCSF School of Medicine.