Scott Mathews Searles
Sept. 5, 1962-April 19, 2016
Oakland, California

Family, friends, and co-workers are mourning the loss of Scott Mathews Searles. Scott was the son of Marcella Mathews Searles and Charles Miller Searles, and grew up in Menlo Park, California.

After graduating from Menlo-Atherton High School in 1980, he went on to UC Berkeley, receiving his B.A. in 1984.

Scott later obtained a master's degree in Instructional Technology at San Francisco State. He spent most of his adult life living in San Francisco and Oakland.

For the past 12 years, Scott worked at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, where he was a highly regarded member of the Health Plan Institute team. As a top level Learning Consultant, he was responsible for developing, designing and implementing complex learning solutions, focused on improving employee performance.

He was well respected for both his approach and accomplishments. Co-workers remember him as a careful thinker and a creative designer, one who was easy to work with due to his kindness and competence.

Scott had a passion for cycling. He was a longtime member of the Oakland Yellow Jackets cycling club, a participant in the AIDS/LifeCycle ride, and a beloved teammate of a small group of friends who toured the West on bikes each of the past three summers.

Friends describe him as generous, a good listener, and gifted with a wry sense of humor that could show itself at any time.

Scott was a gentle soul who brought joy and leadership to his family. He was devoted to his parents, his sisters, and his nieces and nephews, always ready to be of assistance or join in the celebration, whatever fit the occasion.

He was a favorite traveling companion, dance partner, and dinner guest. Scott was a true gentleman, full of grace and strength. He was deeply loved and will be forever missed.

Scott is survived by his two sisters, Sally Porter and Melinda Kaewert (Doug), his four nieces and nephews, Roy Soto, Jamie Shepherd (Greg), Brian Kaewert (Katherine) and Lauren Kaewert, and his grandniece and nephew, Sophie and Oliver Shepherd.

To honor his memory, Scott would want you to give to a charity of your choice, or simply do something generous for yourself or for someone you love.