Gregory Molkentin Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Gregory Molkentin (San Francisco, California), who passed away on December 5, 2022, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Gregory Molkentin to pay them a last tribute.

Greg was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 1st, 1972 to Susan and Bradford Molkentin. He received a Bachelor’s degree in biology and philosophy from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and a Masters in Education from Argosy University. His passion for science, philosophy, Tibetan Buddhism and creating were major pillars in his life.

Greg was an accomplished teacher throughout the Bay Area; he was passionate about teaching biology; loved by many of his students. He later went on to be a scientific consultant managing scientific laboratories.

For over eight years Greg lived in Japan studying Tibetan Buddhism. Through his practice, Greg worked to embody the different archetypes as well as sought after true liberation. Mindfulness, love and compassion and finding a sense of peace through the practice of meditation were big drivers in Greg’s life. The dharma and sangha were intermingled deeply in Greg’s identity as a being. He touched the lives of many over the years through his teachings in the Bay Area.

He led countless evening meditation and dharma classes in his home in San Francisco and found his true peace on the mat; a place he could take adversity and the tribulations of life, anytime. He genuinely enjoyed sharing the teachings with others and held his sensei Doug Duncan and others in the community to high regards.

In 1994, Greg was introduced to a passion for yoga as well through Kripalu yoga. He used this particular practice through college and carried it with him to Japan and to the Bay Area where he became a certified yoga instructor and led many yoga classes and was invited back several times to lead yoga courses at well-known retreats such as WanderLust. He loved the practice of Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga and was always found pushing the envelope in challenging yoga poses in his personal practice. He had a very grounded yet playful practice where he encouraged his students to laugh and find joy in the littlest things. He also had over five years of martial arts training from the U.S. and Japan.

Over the years, he was also an avid photographer and artist who worked with groups in the Bay Area to create for Burning Man. His recent endeavors ranged from building art installations to photographing all 13 crane species in the world. He absolutely loved birding, nature, and wildlife photography. When he had spare time he also enjoyed scuba diving, surfing, and other outdoor activities like river rafting.

He was generous. He loved to give. He freely gave his time, knowledge, energy, and even gave away many of his things. He was dedicated to service. He would be the first to jump up and offer his assistance, often without being asked. It was clear that it came from his heart. Greg was truly the jack of all traits; not much he could not do.

Greg was Survived by his brother, Jeffery D Molketin and his father, Bradford G Molkentin. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday January 26th at 7:00 PM. In-lieu of flowers please feel free to bring a non-alcoholic beverage to share and make a small donation towards the use of the event space.