Most of my memories of Doug are the kinds of things a kid remembers: He hated mayonnaise. He could beat my dad at chess. He and Linda had to give Heather a nickel for her jar every time they swore. One time all the grownups were singing "The Eddystone Light" and Doug joked after the last line that now they all had to give Heather a nickel. Heather and I used to climb up the Gambella's ratlines and sit on the spreaders, feeding our bologna sandwiches to the seagulls while Doug and the other grownups watched us from the deck, Olympia beer in hand. I remember when Doug christened the Starshine. That was such a joyous moment. It left an impression. Doug built my dad a large horizontal file for holding my dad’s art. There wasn't a single nail anywhere in the piece; it was all dovetailed. My dad still uses it today. When I got married, Doug gave us two of The Chair. Those are still in use today also, and they accompany us on our camping trips. I have seen many a shooting star while seated in The Chair. Mostly I remember Doug as a nice man who laughed a lot and made others laugh too. My family loved him. I'm glad he was a large part of my childhood.

I will always remember Doug with a smile, because that is how he was every time we met in person. Always so positive and full of life. I remember meeting Doug for the first time at nana, Thora Richards’ rest home in Te Awamutu, probably sometime in the 2000s. He was also visiting, with Aunt Sue and cousin Tess. When Doug met my husband Partho, they instantly hit it off and talked nonstop about sports, politics and the USA. We will certainly miss seeing Doug during our visits home to NZ. Soar high, Doug. RIP ~ Fiona & Partho, NYC

Three favorite memories of Doug. Doug teaching me how to ride the big swing at the Twin Gables cabin in Monte Toyon. The old car tire he had suspended in the back yard at 765 Channing Ave to practice the twist and push one needed to get over the pole vault bar. Doug and Sue being gracious hosts when Ginnie and I visited Aukland in 2015, Larry Pearson, Cousin

The Incredible Life of Doug Balcomb: Math Whiz, Pole Vault Guru, and Cat Lap Conqueror Family and friends, fasten your seatbelts (or should I say, grip your pole vault poles) as we embark on a journey through the extraordinary life of Doug Balcomb – a man who vaulted through life with the precision of a mathematician and the grace of a... well, a pole vaulter. Born in Silicon Valley before it was cool, Doug blazed through high school as a track star, probably leaving his math teachers in the dust too. San Francisco University didn't know what hit them when Doug arrived, armed with a pole in one hand and a calculator in the other. Doug's life was full of adventure. He sailed off into the sunset on "Starshine" with his first wife Linda and daughter Heather. Years later, I entered the picture at a New Zealand boatyard Christmas party. Who says romance is dead? Our love story spanned 42 years, two continents, and countless adventures, including our daughter Tess. Doug's mind was a wonderland of numbers, sports stats, and ingenious inventions. He created "The Balcomb Method" for stock market investing and built the "Dugatti" – a labour of love that took decades. It's like he said, "You know what? Bugatti didn't quite get it right in 1938. Hold my coffee." A master woodworker and chess player, Doug's life could be measured in cups of joe and glasses of wine. He coached pole vaulting with boundless enthusiasm, embraced rugby but drew the line at cricket. In later years, he perfected multitasking from his lazyboy – balancing a cat, a laptop, and probably a strategy to take over the stock market. Doug Balcomb: mathematician, inventor, pole vault whisperer, boat builder, car enthusiast, woodworker, chess master, cat charmer, and the love of my life. He proved that life, like pole vaulting, is all about defying gravity and reaching for the stars – preferably with a cup of coffee in one hand and a good sense of humour in the other. I'll miss you, Doug.

Update on the event celebrating Doug's life: Day/Time: Saturday November 2, 2024 at 3:00pm Place: 551 Matakana Rd, Warkworth 0985 Location: Casual rural outdoor event Rain or shine (cover provided) Hosted by my niece/nephew-in-law Brenda & Henry Murchison Attire: casual, colourful, fun Family friendly, kids welcome Access & parking: drive through the gate to the back of the property - plenty of parking on the grass Programme led by Dave Parker, Celebrant Guests arrival 2:30-2:45pm for ceremony to begin at 3:00pm Stay following the ceremony to share a glass of wine, nibbles and memories

Part 2 of Doug's Sailing story Like I said; we were hooked. We spent the rest of our young lives building – La Banera & Gambella/Quest– Dreaming about going to Europe to get a North Sea Schooner and Sail around the world. Read “THE WAKE OF THE RED WITCH” and “FORTY SOUTH TO FORTY SOUTH” In about 1974 I took a look at my life. A coworker at Matson Navigation died from a heart attack at age 41 and Since Stan and Robert Mason had moved in different directions, I decided that my dream would not die before I did. I started to design Starshine. I read multiple books on yacht/ship design. Bugged the naval architects at Matson, and spent hours at the drafting board set up in our living room in Saratoga. (It was high enough to keep Christy from chewing up my efforts when she got pissed off.) I had a dream but really didn’t know what was coming. I didn’t have that much experience actually sailing. The building of the boat was straightforward but the psychological demands were a little more difficult. Remember, I am taking my family out of the reach of all of support functions that our society provides. No medical. No insurance. No help at the end of a phone line. Etc. I remember having reoccurring dreams where the boat turned over or where somehow we were balanced on the keel driving down a road and I had to keep the boat from falling over. The end result was that being awake was easier than sleeping. The good news is, that none of the dreams came true. --- Dad, now the seas lie smooth before you. And a gentle breeze forever fills your sails. You are a guiding star as we continue our own adventures. Forever in our hearts 💗

Dad 's passion for adventure was a great platform to grow up on. He took me from the suburbs to halfway around the world. He was 'Captain Doug' to a crew of misfits - he taught us all to navigate life with humor, tenacity, and curiosity. Years later he gave me another gift when he said, "Ask me anything you want before I die or forget ". I did and here in his own words is how sailing became a passion. Doug: Well my start with sailboats was when I was ten at a summer class in woodworking at the community center in Palo Alto. Mom wanted to channel my energy (and get a rest). We had a project to each build a model sailboat and then sail it at the duck pond next to the Sea Scout meeting building at the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor. I remember that experience because my boat didn’t go too well. My first sailing experience was with Stanley while we were on vacation at Tillamook Methodist Church Camp in Oregon. I was still in high school but I don’t remember what year it was. Stan & I were bored and there was a small lake and a boathouse. We investigated and voila a rowboat with oars. Well into the water we went. This was an adventure but as luck would have it, the wind was gusting up to 20 knots and made for hard work rowing. We went back to the boathouse and were rummaging around when we found a mast and sail. Somehow we got the mast onto boat and we were moving. Unfortunately, only in one direction. Downwind! No centerboard. We overcame this problem by sailing till we ran out of water. Dropped the mast, and then rowed upwind to the other end of the lake. Not easy, but the ride downwind made it worth the effort. Did this all day. We were hooked. The next day we were up and ready, but there was not a breath of air. Like I said; we were hooked....

Having traveled with his lovely wife Sue for longer than originally anticipated, we arrived back in the NZ 8 years later and somewhat older than we had originally envisaged, Sue met this guy from the USA. Hell we had just spent nearly 2 years in the USA…. some of that illegally as our Visas had expired but a swift trip across the Canadian border with American licenses fixed that. Back in NZ, having already met Doug a few times, I get a visit from him asking if he could marry my beautiful friend. I obviously said that this was between him and Sue but as long as Sue was happy then I was happy. Unfortunately they married in the states so I could not attend their wedding, however they then went on to have this beautiful young baby called Tess and 39 years later should I have said no ……. absolutely not. Great choice Sue …. Love you all ❤️❤️❤️❤️. So wish I could be there with you

I met Doug when I was 15 1/2 and began dating his brother, Stan. Stan was quiet, an introvert, Doug was his mouthpiece. Both were geniuses but with very different personalities. Doug was curious, friendly, easy going, stubborn, a family man, full of an adventurous spirit, cynical and sarcastic (a family trait as Steve said), and what you saw was what you got. They could go months without talking but would fall right back into that brotherly love the minute they came together. Our families spent many fun times together over the years at many places near and far. A mutual respect and love that carried on to their children. When Steve was 14 Doug invited him to spend the summer sailing from Oahu to the Marquesas, with Heather and Linda. Stan had to convince me it would be a positive experience, I needed to let Steve go. I saw the long “to-do list before an ocean sail” - it was on a sheet of paper taped to the bulkhead. Doug said don’t worry “i’ll get it done” where upon I said “I live full time with a Balcomb, don’t make wild promises you’re not going to keep”. Off they sailed - the list going with them. I will be forever grateful to Doug for giving Steve that kind of growing into manhood experience. Doug did it for Steve but also for his brother. Stan died in 2018 and while neither of them would get behind the concept of an afterlife, it gives me comfort to think of them running into each other, sharing a bottle or two of wine, watching a 49ers game, and talking politics. Your spirit lives on Douglas Jean Balcomb…………..

There were no surprises when I first met Doug about 36 years ago. He had to be special to capture the heart of my worldly and warm hearted sister. He was. It was always a pleasure to spend time with Doug. He had a ready smile and I knew if he asked a question he wanted a conversation. He was a great listener and he was always worth listening to. He was generous and had a great sense of humour. There will forever be a tall gap in our family gatherings. He wasn’t only my brother-in-law, he was a treasured friend.

Doug was often a surrogate father to me, taking me along with them to the middle of the pacific or babysitting me during what seemed like countless summers in Hawaii (ok, Heather did most of the babysitting). I gained a lot from that surrogacy. I always appreciated that my father and Doug were so different – both tinkerers and engineers at heart, but Doug being the risk taker with the entrepreneurial spirit – yet that they had such a close bond. Together they laid the foundation that turned me into the boat geek that I still am. They also had the same, sometimes scathingly dry, wit. Clearly there is a mutant humor gene being passed around our family. As Heather said to me, they’re together laughing at the rest of us now.

Doug really was the greatest. Talented and intelligent he was also very wise and a joy to be with whether it was nutting out a problem with a temperamental Escort or a discussion about the failings of the American political system. And he did it all with that broad smile on his face that ensured whatever was happening was fun. He was the best example of someone totally enjoying their life and getting the most out of it. Nothing seemed to get him down and that enthusiasm was infectious. Doug was great company and i will treasure the long discussions over a few wines we had when Sue and Doug visited or arrived to house sit for us in Te Pahu. Doug would stride in the doorway ducking under the lintel, carrying the obligatory wine bottle and there would be some crack about the lack of progress with a particular project. Straight away things had got a lot brighter. With Doug's death a mighty redwood really has fallen.

This photo was taken at Peter and Katie's wedding in France and pretty much sums up what sort of man Doug was. A dedicated and loving husband and dad to Sue and Tess. Very much a family man who would always make time for family and friends during "catch ups" here in NZ and back in the USA. He loved life, traveling, sailing, motoring ,playing the stock market, playing the guitar and he did enjoy a good glass of wine, {Which we shared with him many times}. My wife Sandra and I have fond memories of holidaying with Doug and Sue in Hawaii many years ago. He was a witty, charismatic ,cheeky and sometimes a little bit naughty. But he was Doug ,our American brother from another mother who will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Doug was what we call here in NZ "A Good Bugga" as kiwi as you could get. RIP Douglas J Balcomb.

The news of Doug's Passing leaves me with a very bleak feeling. Doug and I were like two sides of the same coin for years and years starting in kindergarten (1943) Several years ago Doug himself commented that the length of our friendship (now 82 years) must be a record of some kind. Doug did live life to the hilt, and he had one of the best analytical minds I have ever met. But all of his accomplishments were always done with an upbeat style and sense of humor. I shall miss him very much. Rob Mason Life long friend

Deirdre’s and my life were blessed when Doug and Sue wanted to meet the ‘head honcho’ who controlled his vast empire on Prince’s Wharf, in Auckland. After a glass or two (we did lose count) of his favourite vino, Doug soon established himself as an elder statesman. Someone you looked up to. He was 6’ 10” in our eyes. We have wonderful memories of overseas holidays to Italy and France and many weekends, home and away, in New Zealand. Laughing endlessly, enjoying each other’s company. Such fun times. He certainly was a one-off, an amazing character to know. On one occasion we had lunch in an outdoor setting in Seville, Italy. The bill came, it was €45. We only had a €100 note. Doug, passing it to the waitress said “keep the change”. We had to tell the waitress it was a joke. The happy birthday dirge he sang was something we had never had sung to us before in those wonderful dulcet tones, and alas, we never will again, Doug. There are three things which have interwoven Doug’s life with ours in the last 15 years. One is travel which I have mentioned. The second is the algorithm. Peter, has also mentioned this in his tribute to Doug. An algorithm, if used to its best potential, could make AI (Artificial Intelligence) useless. Doug was a master of the algorithm and I was the forever student. The third thing, dare I mention it, was the Bugatti. The joke was, who would outlive the other. Doug, you won! It was a pleasure to meet you Doug. RIP and a big Cheers. You will be very much missed. Kevin + Deirdre Mansell xx

Dad was so much more than just a dad; In early adulthood he was captain dad as he sailed the Pacific with Heather and Linda and settled in Hawaii where he started his first of many businesses. The first school memories I have are of grandpa dad, coined when I was getting off the bus one day and all my class mates insisted he was my grandpa not my dad. Then there was that one time that he forgot to pick me up from the bus stop all together, momentarily becoming missing dad, and I had to ride all the way back to school. He was chauffeur dad for 7 long years of gymnastics, and never forgetting our Friday night Happy meal McDonald’s runs. Then in high school he became coach dad, recruiting me and as many other gravity defying teens into pole vaulting as he could. He was inventor dad, always building something. Computers, boats, chairs, cabinets, cars, moulding, sporting equipment, algorithms. With some of my favourite memories riding side by side in the dougati. This last decade we all got to know the, joke about death dad. Granted he knew what was coming but it never stopped him from cracking a joke about it. Under no circumstances would he let you forget it. He wore it as a badge of honour as he should, after the full life he lived. Now that his final adventure is upon us all it’s time to cherish those one on one conversations, story times, and the fun loving, charismatic, always with a joke in his back pocket-dad, husband, grandpa, coach, friend, Doug Balcomb. Tess

My sympathies go out to you and all your family. Chuck and Doug were high school friends then Thanksgiving weekend 1958 we announced our engagement and a party was held at Doug’s house. Chuck passed in January 2022. I’m sure that they will have a lot to catch up on.

Somehow I crossed paths with Doug when he began racing the 57’ sailboat he designed and built. I admired his ingenuity, resourcefulness and skill aboard ‘Starshine.’ My nickname for Doug was Gyro Gearloose (a comic book inventor). He was not bound by convention and often solved problems in novel and amazing ways. We sailed SFBay, California coast and from SF to Hawaii (where we docked in Hilo under sail) I will miss his optimism and sense of adventure. Mostly I will miss his smile.

Doug Dingle and I have lost a loved brother-in-law and fine friend and mentor. We share love and sympathy to Sue Tess and the family in the USA. We first met Doug B 40 years ago at the Henderson boat building site Thackeray Yachts when Jim and he arrived to project manage a build for a wealthy American couple. The common interest we had in the cruising yacht life was the spark for a long friendship which was reinforced when sister Sue decided to give up her life of working all over the world and marry that kind handsome American man I had introduced her to. We were lucky enough to visit Sue and Doug while they were living in Honolulu and were shown a wonderful time there and much later I had the pleasure of visiting them at Colfax and getting a ride in ‘the car’ around the country roads. It was great to welcome them back to Auckland finally and then to have Tess here as well at the time she was a University student. There has been some fun wine-filled family occasions over the years and we will miss his relaxed good humoured company laced with our shared love of American 60s music. Remember the seventieth birthday party at Princes wharf and the spaghetti bolognaise lookalike chocolate cake. It was rare celebratory gathering of Doug Bs kiwi in-laws . RIP our brother in law. Jill Dingle

Where to start - the memories of the big deck in Colfax and learning the constellations with Tess... the Disney trip, the family cabin in Aptos and the road trips down to Santa Cruz. The weeks spent in the summer where I'm sure he and Sue had to referee some sibling like fighting. The nights of orange floats and CF7s, where he and Sue would watch Tess and I have little dance/gymnastic type performances. The belief in me and that ever present "ya did good kid." I still couldn't tell you what the speech at my wedding was about - but I think it had a lot to do with keeping the garbage in the past and don't put the cart before the horse maybe. Oh and then there was the Christmas where I'm pretty sure him and my dad got on the roof to sound like Santa. The endless times Tess and I would take breakfast orders and be pushed on swing at the cabin. When I sprained my ankle at the cabin and we all had to figure out how to get the crutches down those "stairs". I remember being in the workshop, the hot rod building, the old white truck then the new white truck. All staples of my childhood summers turned into adulthood memories. Visiting in NZ and he took me for lunch after my flight arrived and laughing about how different things were and when I ordered nachos they had bakes beans on them ... who doesn't that! (Ha!) Talking about life, next steps and adventure. He got to meet his great grandson a few times, photos I'll forever cherish. Meet his great granddaughter via FaceTime - what a cool invention. There's no doubt he's in Heaven, cheersing us all with a glass of Red & a pair of deck shoes kicked off to the side. I wish I had gotten his math skills, but instead I'll take his ability to go forth, start over & create. Forever loved, always missed. Hugs, M

We have been wondering when you would be coming this way again for another great visit. We are realizing that at our age life changes quickly but were not aware of the enormity and finality. My remembrances of Doug are at all the family gatherings in Palo Alto and Monte Toyon. As a child I remember him as a big cousin always with a smile and a genuine caring for everyone. In the recent times I relied on his knowledge of the family and the many branches it encompassed. I was amazed at his ability to build and sail a cement boat, his transition to a woodworker, the rebuilding of the old car, his ability to remain fiends with Linda and his devotion to Pole vaulting. His real and genuine love of Sue, Tess and Heather are a testament to who he was as a person, We thoroughly enjoyed and valued our time with Doug and Sue in Colfax and Los Gatos and will miss looking forward to visits. Sending our love to you Sue, Tess. and Heather.

It’s never easy to say goodbye to someone as special as Uncle Doug, but we must celebrate the remarkable life he lived and the many ways he touched all of us. I’m very grateful for the moments we shared, especially in his final days. Even in the face of life’s end, Doug was full of optimism, focused on the future, and determined to leave behind a legacy reflecting his passions and values. In recent years, I had the privilege of working with him on a project —an algorithm he created to help his children and grandchildren understand financial independence. His love of problem-solving and his sharp mind as a computer scientist came together beautifully to make this. But this was more than just a stock market tool; it reflected his curiosity and desire to teach future generations. My journey with Uncle Doug began long before that. In 1997, I spent three unforgettable months with him as a teenager, staying with Sue, and Tess, working in his woodshop. During that time, Doug introduced me to his fascination with the stock market. He didn’t just follow news—he wanted to understand how it worked. His passion for financial education grew from there. At the same time, Doug was building The Chair, a foldable deck chair with his signature attention to detail. Together we built an amazing bar and tables for a local restaurant. Whether it was woodworking, finance, or technology, Doug approached everything with care and precision, always seeking to improve. And he enjoyed a beer while doing it! Doug’s long life was full of adventure, love, and creativity. His travels, his work, his daughters, and his family, who cared for him so lovingly. I think he lived a full rich life, and those of us who knew him will always carry a part of him with us. I will miss Uncle Doug deeply, but his legacy will continue to inspire me, as it will for many others. "Ad amorem, ad vitam, ad posteritatem!" (A toast to love, to life, to future generations!)