Lincoln Pain

November 25, 2023

Lincoln Pain, devoted father, husband, brother, financial planner, and political activist, died peacefully at his El Cerrito home after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease on November 25th, surrounded by his wife, daughter, and friends.

Lincoln was a brilliant, brave, energetic, gregarious man with a wonderful community of friends, extended family and admirers. Lincoln’s lifetime mission was to change the world through socially-responsible political activism.

At just 20 years old — he put his life on the line helping register black voters in Mississippi. In 1966, he co-founded San Francisco’s groundbreaking satirical improv group, the Pitschel Players, a prominent antiVietnam War troupe.

Lincoln proudly participated in the Venceremos Brigade, traveling to Cuba with other SDS members to cut sugar cane alongside Cuban workers to show opposition to US policies towards Cuba.

In one memorable episode of being “antiestablishment”, Lincoln threw a pie in the face of Colonel Paul Akst, head of New York’s Selective Service System, as hundreds of onlookers gasped. During this same time, Lincoln wrote for the Washington Free Press, was arrested for occupying George Washington University and for participating in Oakland draft protests.

Born to Frances Jaffer and Rodney Pain in San Diego in 1945, Lincoln spent the bulk of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area.

At Lick Wilmerding and George Washington high schools, Lincoln was San Francisco’s 3rd best butterfly swimmer, and member of an award-winning a cappella choir.

During the post-activism second act of Lincoln’s life he became a CFP, founding Effective Assets in Berkeley. Over the next three decades Lincoln served as Chair of the Bay Area Social Investment Forum, was cofounder of the Shareholder Action Network, acted as a chief financial consultant for Amnesty International, and was awarded the 2016 SRI Service Award.

Lincoln is survived by his wife Carol Lourie, daughter Celeste Pain, brothers Duncan and Louis Pain, sisterin-law Tracy Turner-Pain, half-brother John Patrick Pain, sister-in-law Kristen Hussey, step brother Peter Linenthal, brother-in-law Phil Anasovich, stepbrothers Dan and Paul Wheeler, former wives Barbara Austin and Virginia King, stepdaughter Cara Alexander, grandchildren Calista and Caleb, stepmother Mary Shakespeare, and cousins Robin, Bruce and Randy. He is predeceased by his parents, stepfather Mark Linenthal and stepson Graham Kiple (survived by wife Kelsey and grandson Grayson).

A memorial celebration is planned for March 2024. Email Thuan@effectiveassets.com for details.