top of page
Writer's pictureKevin Hessel

Joseph H. Bacheller III


Joseph H. Bacheller III (Joe) left this world and his beloved family and friends on Saturday, December 15, 2018. He was born in Newark, N.J., in 1933, the son of Joseph H Bacheller Jr. and Marjorie M. Bacheller. In 1936, the family moved to Hingham, Mass., where they resided for many years.

In 1951, Joe graduated from Milton Academy and followed up with a degree in English from Princeton University. At Princeton, he was part of the NROTC program and was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Navy from 1955-1958. While on a Norfolk, Va., city bus, Joe, a lieutenant j.g. in the U.S. Navy, met the love of his life, Bruce Bishop, who would become his wonderful wife of 55 years. They married in Belmont, Mass., in 1959, where Bruce taught fourth and fifth grade.

He graduated from Harvard Business School in 1960 and the family adventured to Phoenix, Ariz., where Joe worked for Del Webb. In 1963 they moved to Tiburon, Ca., where Joe worked for Draper Company developing shopping centers. In 1977, he formed Bacheller Properties, which built and managed apartments and other properties in Sonoma, Ca.

While living in Tiburon, Joe served on the Tiburon Parks and Recreation Commission and Tiburon Planning Commission. He also participated in the Princeton Alumni Club, placing “Fellows” in Marin County non-profits, and was a founding member of the Tiburon Men’s Chorus, now known as the Marin Men’s Chorus. He sang with them for 30 years. Joe was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He was a member of the Tiburon Peninsula Club and enjoyed playing tennis and going to the gym.

In 2014, his beloved wife, Bruce, passed away from cancer. Joe took great pride and joy in his wonderful family. He enjoyed a large group of friends who have been so supportive to him over the years. He is survived by his daughters Kimball Holt (Keith) and Susan Bacheller (Yasar Ozberkmen), daughter-in-law Margaret Bacheller; six grandchildren: Leigh, Stephen, Kevin, Ryan, Matteo, and Tristan; and two great grandchildren: Ryleigh and Madison. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Ebert, his brother-in-law, Edward Bishop, and sister-in-law Nelson Moore (William). His son, Major Jack Bacheller USMC, predeceased him.

A memorial service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 240 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, Ca. on Saturday, January 19th, at 1:00 PM. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hospice by the Bay, Marin Humane, or your favorite charity.


78 views
Recent stories

Support The Ark’s commitment to high-impact community journalism.

The Ark, twice named the nation's best small community weekly, is dedicated to delivering investigative, accountability journalism with a mission to increase civic engagement and participation by providing the knowledge that can help sculpt the community and change lives. Your support makes this possible.

In addition to subscribing to The Ark for weekly home delivery, please consider making a contribution to support independent local journalism. For more information, contact Publisher & Advertising Director Henriette Corn at hcorn@thearknewspaper.com or 415-435-1190.​

bottom of page