Jeffrey Latts

Oct. 17, 1947 - Sept. 25, 2025

Jeffrey Robert Latts was born in Duluth Minnesota on October 17, 1947 to Irvin and Esther Latts. His sister, Ginny Latts, followed four years later to complete the family. Irvin Latts owned the Great Lakes Clothing Company in downtown Duluth. Esther was a homemaker and violinist with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. The Duluth of Jeff’s youth was a small, but growing city. The street he knew in childhood was tree-lined, with large suburban lots surrounded by neighbors. Known for its harsh winter climate, Jeff readily learned recreational sports of skiing, ice skating, swimming, but also golf. School is where he excelled. Even though most content was easily mastered, you’d never hear a word of hubris. His favorite studies were math and physics and he applied learned concepts effortlessly throughout his life to problems big or small. Medicine was his chosen career path. Educated at the University of Minnesota, he became a board-certified internist. Subsequently, he traveled to the University of Chicago to complete a fellowship in clinical pharmacology, leading to executive positions focusing on FDA new drug approvals. Jeff met his future life partner of 50 years, Diana Martinetto, in 1974. Diana, a registered nurse at the time, would tell you that she was first attracted to Jeff by how skillfully competent and keenly focused he was in caring for patients. Their work and yearnings opened opportunities in multiple cities: Chicago, Ann Arbor, Philadelphia, Alameda, Tiburon and, finally, to Monterey in retirement, their favorite. Jeff lived a quiet life, the rare person who is fully absorbed by his interests- learning about anything that intrigued. When something failed to operate around the house, he loved the challenge and usually found a solution. Retirement brought one unwelcome surprise that changed everything: Alzheimer’s dementia. Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2018, the disease progressed as expected no matter the intervention. In the absence of any worthwhile treatment, Jeff and Diana planned for their inevitable future. His journey ended benevolently and peacefully at home, finally free. Successful by measures both personal and professional, Jeff's greatest achievement was to mature to become a remarkable person who understood the meaning of life is to find one’s gifts, and the purpose to give them away. Thank you for all your many gifts and, of course, your love.