In a recent tribute, SF Gate contributor Nicholas G. Meriwether wrote: “The Grateful Dead folk motif describes the obligation the living owe the dead, a belief found in cultures around the world. It tells us that when we honor that obligation, we will be repaid in ways we cannot anticipate or imagine. An ancient expression of faith, it urges us to embrace life as a continuum – one that includes those who have passed on and who rely on the living to steward their legacy.”
Bob Weir’s passing leaves millions of us feeling equal measures of gratitude and sadness. Long before Seva became what it is today, Bob showed up for this mission – literally – by lending his music and his name to early benefit concerts that helped get our work off the ground. He continued to stand with Seva long after that, in ways both visible and quiet.
That support mattered. It helped fund programs, build momentum, and connect Seva to a community that believed deeply in service and in showing up for others.
Bob helped shape a culture in which art, community, and care for one another belonged together. The Seva family is fortunate to have witnessed the generosity he extended beyond his music and the stage over so many years. Now, as the living entrusted with what he left behind, we endeavor to honor that obligation by carrying his spirit forward and continuing to make something good with it.
In Service and Sympathy,
Kate Moynihan
CEO/Executive Director
Seva Foundation
Bob was featured on the 1980’s TV show “Nice People” where he talked about his love for Seva. Watch some of the interview here, and view the full interview here.
About the author
Kate Moynihan
Kate Moynihan is an impassioned leader and decision-maker who has overseen programs in networked organizations and social enterprises in resource-constrained settings, internationally and in the United States. She is a catalyst for institutional and systems change, partnering successfully with diverse international organizations to deliver world-class leadership for mission-based social justice around the globe. Throughout Kate’s career, she has shown an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people living in disadvantaged, marginalized segments of the world. Kate currently serves as CEO / Executive Director of the Seva Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Berkeley, California that transforms lives by restoring sight to individuals in areas with limited access to eye care.
