Divine Colleague

I’ve spent 50-plus years publishing surf magazines with Jeff Divine. Aside from his undeniable talent behind the lens, what seemed to set him apart from everyone I’ve worked with is that I never heard him say anything unkind about anyone. 

Also, Jeff never used foul or rude language to describe something or someone he didn’t like. Even when he was being critical—territory that comes with editing—he used soft language to express his viewpoint. Most would just say about something subpar, “That’s fucked up.” Not Jeff. It’s not who he is. Both in the office and on location, he’s always been a gentle soul. 

While he was interviewing Jeff for his feature in this issue, our senior editor, Ben Waldron, asked him what it was like working with me—an exercise in mirrored POVs. Report as follows: “Pez was a one-man band—a very creative person. He always had an artistic vision and great ideas for layouts. He was always diplomatic and kind to people. We’d sometimes get randoms stopping by the office. Steve would attract characters from every era and walk of life. It was incredible. There’d be famous artists, thinkers, designers, shapers, and a lot of oddballs, drunks, and cringe characters. Pez always took the time to talk to whoever came in. In a way, he gave everyone who walked through TSJ’s front door a first-place trophy.”

A classic, and charitable, Divine response.

[Feature image: Surfer staff meeting, circa 1970 (clockwise from left): Steve Pezman, Hyatt Moore, Don Kremers, Brad Barrett, and Jeff Divine. Photo by John Severson.]