Scholarship Fund Launched In Memory Of San Ramon's Jordan Maler

SAN RAMON, CA — The family of a man who grew up in San Ramon has established a music scholarship in his name following his unexpected death on Nov. 14 at the young age of 26.

The Jordan Maler Scholarship Fund for Cal Poly Music Students has raised thousands of dollars since its launch last month. Maler, a 2011 graduate of Dougherty Valley High School who went on to become a 2015 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo business grad and then a valued tech employee, was found dead in his Oakland apartment. Drugs and suicide were ruled out. His family told the San Luis Obispo Tribune that he died in his sleep, possibly from an arrhythmia, or an irregular heart beat.

The scholarship's goal is to assist Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Music Department majors who are focused on careers in music, with a special emphasis on festivals worldwide, according to his family.

Renee Maler, Jordan's mother, has been active on the Jordan Maler Scholarship Fund page launched on Facebook. She's been sharing her grief — and triumphs.

"We surpassed our goal of creating a $25k endowment for the Cal Poly Music Department in Jordan’s name ***thanks to all of you!*** My family can never thank all of you enough for honoring Jordan in this way!" she posted Dec. 5.

Just two days before that post, she wrote, "Honestly you all, there are no words. I can just feel Jordan watching what’s happening here with his sparkly eyes and sly smile, dimples in full effect. Thank you, thank you, thank you for opening your hearts to my family at a time of tragedy that normally shuts people completely down. You are light, you are love and we will carry you in our hearts forever, just as we do Jordan. If you know me, you know he’s 1/2 my oxygen. Being able to stay focused on this effort during the absolute hardest time in my life is keeping this Mama breathing. May God bless all of you for every kindness you’ve shown!"

Donations continue to be accepted for the scholarship fund. On Thursday, Renee shared with Patch readers that "Jordan was a life-changing, world-changing young man, with the highest morals, ethics and aspirations. He would have gone on to build something incredible that would have altered this world in an unprecedented way. His pure love of people, nature and music were paramount in his life. Please help us continue his legacy by supporting a scholarship foundation created in his name ..."

Visit the Jordan Maler Scholarship Fund for Cal Poly Music Students page.