fbpx
 
Send Flowers Send Flowers
(510) 525-5111
 
obit-thumbnail

Kalle Nemvalts

July 24, 1948 - August 10, 2025

Kalle Nemvalts, aged 77, died on August 10, 2025, following a brief illness. He was a
39-year resident of Contra Costa County, living in the city of El Cerrito for nearly 30
years. He was born on July 24, 1948, in Augsburg, Germany, to Magda (Paap) and Karl
Nemvalts, of Estonia. In 1950 the family immigrated to the United States and settled in
Freeland, Michigan. Kalle wrote about his family and childhood in an essay about his father.

Kalle received a B.A. in mathematics from the University of Michigan and pursued
graduate studies at UC Berkeley, and later back at U of M. In Ann Arbor, he played
trumpet in a number of jazz bands, attended art school, and made many lasting
connections. He also met his future wife, Connie Williams. They moved together to the
Bay Area in 1986, and both established their careers at the University of California.

Together, Kalle and Connie formed a complementary, loving collaboration. They
explored North America by car on dozens of road trips and, since retirement, enjoyed
travel abroad; they adopted and loved a succession of rescued cats and dogs; they
laughed at the same things; and they made their residence a comfortable place to call
home. Many guests were welcomed there.

Kalle lived his life according to Buddhist principles, and received Lay Buddhist
Ordination (jukai) at the Berkeley Zen Center in the late 1990s. More recently, he was
also a diligent practitioner of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Following his retirement from UC
Berkeley he was able to redouble his commitment to his life-long creative pursuits of
music – particularly trumpet and composition – and photography. In recent years he
especially valued the weekly sessions with like-minded musicians that he hosted in his
garage. Please enjoy some examples of his creativity that are available on his web site.

In addition to his wife, Kalle is survived by his sister Marju Berger, sister and brother-in-
law Tina and Kevin Budzinski, brother-in-law Scott Williams, and many nieces and
nephews. In remembrance of Kalle, the family suggests donating to nonprofits that
support artists or musicians, and/or to organizations devoted to medical research, such
as the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

A memorial gathering will be held in the coming months.

Plant a Tree
Events
There are no events scheduled. To plant a tree in memory of Kalle Nemvalts, visit the Tribute Store

Kalle Nemvalts, aged 77, died on August 10, 2025, following a brief illness. He was a 39-year resident of Contra Costa County, living in the city of El Cerrito for nearly 30 years. He was born on July 24, 1948, in Augsburg, Germany, to Magda (Paap) and Karl Nemvalts, of Estonia. In 1950 the familyContinue Reading

See Condolences
Plant a tree in memory of Kalle
 An environmentally friendly option.
Tree 10 trees were planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts
Lynn and Dana left a message on August 28, 2025:
In memory of Kalle, a wonderful , kind , and gifted person. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.Love Lynn and Dana
David A. Mason left a message on October 3, 2025:
Kalle, you lived a strong and purposeful life! It was an honor to have shared music with you. Im inspired by you to this day. Peace and respect.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts . Plant a Tree
Connie Ducey left a message on September 30, 2025:
Kalle, your joy of living and music will be with me always. "A Time for Love" is the song I'll always remember as yours when we played together.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts . Plant a Tree
Dan and Loren Ladizinsky left a message on September 23, 2025:
Let us celebrate the memory of Kalle Nemvalts, whose broad minded creativity opened many musical doors and helped bring people together.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts . Plant a Tree
Paul Vornhagen left a message on September 23, 2025:
So happy to have this tree planted as a memorial to my good friend and musical colleague, Kalle Nemvalts. Thank you for being in my life.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts . Plant a Tree
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
PAUL VORNHAGEN left a message on September 23, 2025:
I was so taken aback by this news of Kalle's passing. I broke down and cried. He was such a good friend and music colleague of mine for many years, starting in Ann Arbor and then later many visits to his and Connie's homes in the bay area. We continued playing together there off and on. He will be remembered by me for the rest of my life as a kind, smart and talented friend with a great sense of humor. Rest in Peace, Kalle.
Primavera Latin Jazz Band left a message on September 5, 2025:
In Kalle's memory, from the his band-mates at Primavera. Thank you, Kalle, for all the good music and camaraderie.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts . Plant a Tree
Ain Nemvalts left a message on September 1, 2025:
Minu siiras kaastunne, Teile kõigile. Sellist teadet saada on väga kurb. Samas on mul selle üle hea meel, et Kalle sai ära käia Eestis, et me kohtusime ja saime mõne päeva koos veeta... Ain
Lenny Levy left a message on September 1, 2025:
Hope we will all be informed of the memorial. Lenny
Nancy left a message on September 1, 2025:
In memory of a kind and loyal friend. Namaste, Kalle. Rest in peace.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts . Plant a Tree
Lenny Levy left a message on August 31, 2025:
DAMMIT - I've lost so many close friends in the last year  and a half and many of them musicians. Kalle was a prince. One of the nicest people I've ever known and an incredibly  unselfish musician . It was a joy to play with him and always fun to collaborate on the heads of tunes which is what can make the pairing of sax and trumpet such a joy. When I think of Kalle I always think of him laughing and that's the image I will carry with me.
Robin Lewis left a message on August 29, 2025:
I am fortunate go have known Kalle. We played music together nearly every Tuesday for the last five years. He was kind, welcoming and humorous and I always enjoyed his company. He will be missed.
Dan Keller left a message on August 27, 2025:
Kalle was a fine musician and a lovely man. We played together on numerous occasions, both jazz and Brazilian. His passing is a terrible shock and his playing will be heartily missed by me and our musical community.
Anonymous left a message on August 26, 2025:
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Kalle Nemvalts . Plant a Tree
Sunset View Mortuary left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More