Our hearts, thoughts, and deepest condolences go out to our dear friend Ray Bair of Cheese Plus in San Francisco and his family. On Monday, June 14, 2021, his beloved wife Kate Chase passed away after a long and aggressive illness. She was 60.

We have met Kate only a few times, fleetingly.

Once or twice in Florida, when she was visiting her parents. That was a while ago.

Then a few times at Cheese Plus, when we tasted cheese at the shop or did an event and she joined in. Briefly, as I can remember, but we always loved to see and hug her, and each time she left on us the impression of being a very special, very unique, unpretentious woman and human being.

Ray only deepened all these feelings and guesses. How infinitely he loves and adores her, how highly he respects and values her. His eyes start sparkling the moment he mentions her, and they reflect his closeness and his love for Kate and her strong will, her creativity, her personality.

We are sending Ray strength, love, and positive energy. Kate’s light will keep on shining through him.