What a Life: Jeff Kaufer 5/26/51 - 8/11/23

Jeffrey Jay Kaufer was born May 26, 1951. Jeff passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a year and a half battle with cancer.  He was born in Detroit, MI and his family relocated to Southern California when he was 5 years old. He and his brothers bounced between Thousand Oaks and Hollywood. A highlight from his childhood was getting Sandy Koufax to give him and his two brothers, a ride home after a game.

Jeff was one of those guys who knew what he wanted to be at a young age. He had a passion for music, which led him to his first job as a disc jockey at the age of 17 at KNJO in Thousand Oaks. Jeff attended radio and broadcasting school in Southern California. After school he was “Scott Shannon” at KAFY in Bakersfield, then went to KFRC in San Francisco, KPOI in Honolulu, and finally to KPUA as the infamous “Boogie Bear” in Hilo Hawaii. 

In Hilo, Jeff pursued his other passion of flying. He started Big Island Flying Service with tours, aerial recon, and flight instruction. Jeff received a few commendation letters for his flight involvement in saving several people’s lives while in Hawaii. This was the beginning of a career in aviation. Jeff moved back to the mainland to further his aircraft ratings and eventually started commercial flying with DHL. Jeff relocated to Lake Tahoe which led him back to his musical roots with a company he bought and grew called Music Magic. He left flying temporarily as he pursued being a successful mobile DJ, but Jeff’s true passion for flying burned hot as he tired of dealing with “bridezillas”in his DJ business. He never did tire of using his signature DJ voice and skill of reading the room.

Jeff relocated to Seattle and started working for Boeing, then Alaska as a flight instructor which led to getting back into the cockpit for America West. Three mergers later, Jeff retired from American Airlines on his 65th birthday in 2016. 

Jeff also had a passion for technology (particularly anything Apple) and was aptly nicknamed I-Jeff. He had a business as an apple tech dude called I-Phyx. Jeff was the lead volunteer during the rollout of the iPad to flight ops when he was still with American. Jeff loved helping people with their Apple issues, and damn, he was good at it. 

Jeff loved the outdoors, and photographing the outdoors. He loved camping, skiing, bike riding, paddle boarding, watching his Mariners and of course walking his dog around Alki Point. He was an amazing uncle to my two daughters.
He always was willing to help someone in need. Jeff had a myriad of friends in his neighborhood and beyond. The outpouring of love and support from his many friends and family was overwhelming.

Jeff lived the last 20+ years in his beloved Alki Point in West Seattle. He never married, but had experienced partnerships with beautiful, smart, and talented women. He is survived by his golden retriever, Primo, his two brothers, Tom and Andy, his two sister-in-laws, Char and Hedy, his nieces Rachel, Morgan, Kelly, Shannon and lots of cousins.

Jeffrey, you have been cleared for takeoff. Tailwind always my brother.