Jan Eric Kaestner

Jan Eric Kaestner passed away at home on the evening of November 17, 2025 after a four-month battle with leukemia, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 18, 1952, in Madison, Wisconsin, to his devoted parents, Noel Frank and Mary Ann Kaestner.

When Jan was just two years old, his family moved to Salem, Oregon, where his father accepted a professorship at Willamette University. Jan grew up there alongside his two younger brothers and went to college at the University of Oregon, earning his Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1982.

Jan’s life took a romantic turn in the spring of 1985, when he met his future wife, Maria, on the island of Crete while they were both traveling abroad. Their shared sense of adventure bonded them instantly. They married in the Netherlands in 1987 and soon settled in Santa Barbara, California, where they began building a life together. In 1992, they welcomed their first child, beginning what would become a family of five.

Driven by intellectual curiosity, Jan earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1994. He practiced law for more than three decades, specializing in personal injury and construction defect litigation. He was respected for his sharp mind, steady judgment, and unwavering commitment to his clients.

Beyond his legal career, Jan was a gifted and hands-on builder. A skilled contractor, he designed and built two beautiful homes in Santa Barbara for his family—projects that reflected both his craftsmanship and his deep care for those he loved. In 2022, Jan and Maria retired to Nevada City, California. Jan approached life with enthusiasm, curiosity, and humor. He loved the outdoors—hiking, beach volleyball, golf, and gold mining were among his favorite pursuits.

He had a talent for collecting both jokes and friends wherever he went, and his warmth and wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He also found joy in photography, coin collecting, poker, and passionately cheering on his beloved Oregon Ducks. His fascination with Gold Rush–era history inspired many family road trips along the historic Highway 49, exploring small towns that shaped California’s early identity and creating cherished memories along the way.

Jan is survived by his loving wife, Maria, and his three daughters: Lydia Rao and her husband Joe, Katya Kaestner, and Sonya Kaestner.

A celebration of Jan’s life will be held on Thursday, February 19, between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Bath House, 1118 E. Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, California. All who knew and loved Jan are warmly invited to join in remembering and celebrating a life well lived.

Please RSVP to janksb52@gmail.com