Jan Lind Farnsworth
January 6, 1940 – February 14, 2024
Jan L. Farnsworth was born and raised in San Rafael by his parents, Earl and Elvira Farnsworth. He attended both Drake and San Rafael High Schools before attending the College of Marin. In 1958, he enrolled in the Marine Corps Reserves, serving his country for eight years.
During the 1960s, Jan and his best friend Bronte Reynolds co-owned the Lands End Pub and restaurant in San Francisco. They served fish & chips and did what they did best, singing and playing the guitar! After the Pub days, he returned to Marin and rented a house in Belvedere with his closest buddies. It was there that Jan would bump into the love of his life, Viveca, a young Swedish flight attendant whose mother owned the Sweden House bakery in Tiburon on Main Street. Jan and Viveca got engaged after only four weeks of dating and were happily married for 56 years.
Jan’s family had been in the moving business for three generations. In the early 1900s, his grandfather co-owned Farnsworth & Ruggles, a San Francisco drayage firm. They hauled water after the 1906 earthquake. Jan’s stepfather Richard “Dick” Hardin, Sr., was co-owner of Pierce Hardin Van & Storage in San Rafael. In the early ’70s, Jan worked for his stepfather as a sales manager for Pierce Hardin. Jan then bought the family business, becoming the owner of North Bay North American Van Lines.
Jan and Viveca then had two children, their daughter Mekaela (1970) and their son Lars (1971). Lars worked for the family business by his father’s side for many years. Jan had many interests and passions, but his love for hunting and fishing surpassed all others. He spent most of his time at a duck club he co-owned with close friends and family, including his beloved brother Richard Hardin and close nephew Cal Farnsworth, who had a family duck club nearby. Many memories were shared at the duck club, including Jan and Viveca’s 50th wedding anniversary. Both Jan and Viveca were lifelong members of the Corinthian Yacht Club, spending numerous celebratory weekends and holidays at the club. They particularly enjoyed “Opera Night,” where Jan would sing opera as a dramatic tenor on stage.
Jan had a love for fishing and the ocean, and he was often found on his boat the “Swedish Lady,” a sleek 31’ Tiara. His other boat, a 1957 Chris Craft was awarded 2nd place “Best in Show” at the Concours d’ Elegance hosted by the Tahoe Yacht Club where Jan and Viveca were members for over 30 years. Camping was second nature to Jan, growing up at Salmon Creek campground in Sierra City as a child and later with his own. Jan shared his love for the outdoors with his kids and taught them how to fly fish.
Jan retired at the age of 77 with the love of his life Viveca and spent joyous amounts of time with his three grandchildren and hunting dog Daisy. This last November he also shot his last bull elk at the age of 83. What a stud!
Jan is preceded in passing by his brother Earl Farnsworth. He is survived by his wife, Viveca; his daughter Mekaela and her husband Joe; his grandchildren Tatianna and Tyler; his son Lars; grandson Logan; and brother Richard Hardin Jr.; plus nephews and nieces and a large extended family. Truly one of a kind, Jan will always be remembered for his sense of humor, adventurous spirit, infectious laughter, love for music and zest for life! In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or his, California Waterfowl, at calwaterfowl.org.