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Matthew Christopher Ihle

Matt was surrounded by love when he passed away unexpectedly from complications of leukemia on Aug. 24, 2011, in San Francisco.

Born in San Francisco on Feb. 2, 1971, Matt grew up in Fairfax and was a long-time resident of Marin. He graduated from Marin Catholic High School in 1989, and obtained degrees in political science and economics from San Diego State University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta.

Matt had a flair for making friends and lived life to the fullest. He loved good food and was the consummate "home cook." He took great pleasure in cooking for family and friends and was always on the look-out for new recipes to try. Matt was a true 49ers and Giants fan - if he wasn't at the games, he was watching them on TV or listening to them on the radio. He loved the freedom of sailing on the Bay as a crew member of Yankee, taking the family dog Casey for a walk on Kehoe beach, and reading history novels like those written by Barbara Tuchman. A cowboy at heart, Matt relished the serenity of riding a horse through beautiful country, as well as "moving the herd along" on the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drives. But above all, he cherished spending time at his family's lake house, playing horseshoes and having fun with good people.

Matt will be loved and remembered by his wife, Andrea Todd-Ihle; parents, Samantha and Jay Jackson and Norm and Barbara Ihle; grandmother, Betty Ihle; sisters, Meghan Ihle and Jyll Jackson; brothers, Michael Flores, Brian Jackson and Reed Jackson; and numerous other beloved family and friends.

Matt's boundless generosity, wonderful sense of humor and beautiful smile will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. In every sense of the word, Matthew truly was a mensch.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Deer Park Villa in Fairfax. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Matt's honor to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org) or the Humane Society in your area (e.g., Marin Humane Society).

Arrangements cared for by Duggan's Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. Inquiries can be made to them at 996-3655 or visit www.duggansmissionchapel.com.