Geoffrey Caine died from lung cancer Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. He had survived heart surgery, including the insertion of five stents, this past autumn.

He was born on July 15, 1946, in Johannesberg, South Africa. His family immigrated to Australia when he was a preteen.

Geoffrey was educated here at the University of Michigan in law, and became a constitutional scholar and a law professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

In 1986, he immigrated to the U.S. when he married the love of his life, Dr. Renate Nummela Caine, and they lived in San Bernardino City.

In 1991, they moved permanently to Idyllwild when their first book “Making Connections: Teaching and the Human Brain” was published — thus, fulfilling a request to the universe that they would finish the book if they could live here.

They wrote 10 more books and were educational consultants for the next 20 years. Their consulting was international and resulted in some of their books being translated into Swedish, German, Chinese, Turkish and Korean. While here in Idyllwild, Geoffrey and Renate started a charter high school and founded the Caine Learning Center.

Geoffrey wanted to do something positive for the community and served on the Chamber of Commerce board and volunteered for the Idyllwild Water District board.

Geoffrey is survived by his sisters Barbara Caine, Diane Caine and Louise Caine, and their families; and by his wife Renate, her nephews and their families; and this community who supported them and which they loved and still love so very much.

A memorial celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2018, at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church here in Idyllwild. All are welcome.

Similar Posts

  • Obituary: Nancy Lee Turner

    Beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Nancy Lee Turner (née Hill) passed away on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011 with her family at her side. Born in Orleans, Vt. on Nov. 23, 1924, Nancy lived a loving life of devotion to her family and service to others. Raised in northern Vermont and educated as a legal secretary,…

  • Obituary: Morton S. Boss

    Morton S. Boss passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, at home in Brea, Calif., after more than a year and a half of fighting cancer. Born in 1939, he lived in Idyllwild from 1945 until 1961 when he moved to Brea. He married Peggie Granger, also an Idyllwild resident, in 1961. No services are planned….

  • Obituary: Leona McGaugh

    Leona McGaugh maintained a way of life more familiar to last century. She didn’t own and never used a computer. She still made her calls on a rotary telephone. She cooked meals on a wood-burning stove. But none of these facts prove she was unconnected. Owner and operator of the 130-acre Baldy Mountain Ranch near…

  • Life Tribute: Kelly Rood 1966 – 2020

    As the former owner of the Idyllwild Cafe and the chef/manager at Camp Ronald McDonald, Kelly Rood was a long-time member of the Idyllwild community.  She touched many lives and built countless lasting friendships over the years.  Throughout her life, people gravitated toward her, as she was a constant source of kindness and optimism.  Kelly…

  • Obituary: Dennis Allen Brackman

    Dennis Allen Brackman, 39, of Anza, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2001, as a result of blunt force trauma in a traffic collision. Mr. Brackman was born Nov. 21, 1961 in Sacramento. He was a plumber’s assistant. A memorial is planned at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 at Anza Community Hall. Pastor Peter Neri will conduct…