Meet the Einspahrs:

A family devoted to service and adventure

By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991

Faye and Matt met at a church in Walnut Creek. Their first date would set the stage for a life filled with adventure and a love of the outdoors. They went surfing in Pacifica, and after that first date they both knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. They were married 18 months later in 2008.

Faye grew up just down the highway in Alamo. She attended college in Southern California at Azusa Pacific University. Matt grew up in Port Orchard, Washington (near Seattle); he was a Packers fan because most of his family was originally from Wisconsin. He came to California for college, attending UC Berkeley as a recruit for baseball. He played various infield positions for the Bears, and in his senior year he was Captain of the team, batting .313. During his summers he played in the Northwoods League earning the Sliver Slugger Award, team MVP and was a 2-time All-Star. Post college he went to play for an independent minor league. After one year, Matt decided to leave the baseball field and focus on a career and family.

Matt first became an EMT, then a paramedic working in Oakland. In 2009 he joined the Berkeley Fire Department as a firefighter and has been there ever since. He also coaches youth sports and was honored with the prestigious Positive Coaching Alliance award for his work in youth softball. He also enjoys running and surfing.

Faye works in fundraising, helping schools and local sports groups raise much needed funds. She and fellow Northgate resident Jenny Roy started the DREAM Committee at Valle Verde Elementary School, a committee that celebrates diversity and equity (DREAM stands for diversity, representation, equality, activism and multiculturalism). They recently hosted Valle Verde’s first ever Cultural Food Fair as an opportunity to share and celebrate the diversity of cultural backgrounds present at the school and in our neighborhood. Faye connects with a group of neighborhood women in a book club she started four years ago. Both Matt and Faye also volunteer in the classroom at Valle Verde and at their church.

The Einspahrs have three children who they model and teach their family motto to: “Be kind, be inclusive, be honest.” Avery (9) loves sports, plays the piano and performed in her first musical last fall. Following her parents’ example, she started a club called the Anti Bully Club to spread understanding and acceptance.

Jack is six and plays baseball and soccer and practices Tae kwon do. Joshua is three and keeps everyone running with his unstoppable energy and good humor. He’ll start t-ball this spring. Twelve-yearold Maverick, the family’s yellow lab, is doted on by all. Faye says, “Our three kids are adopted, and we feel so blessed to have formed our family this way. People will sometimes tell us our kids are lucky, but the truth is that we are far and away the lucky ones. It is the greatest honor of our lives to have the opportunity to parent these three amazing kids.”

Family time is often spent outdoors, exploring National Parks or hiking in our open space. During the pandemic they had a family camping trip on Mt. Diablo and visited many of the Bay Area’s outdoor parks and trails. Living in the Walnut Green subdivision, they love their proximity to Arbolado Park and the trails and spend most summer afternoons at their neighborhood pool. They are fortunate to have great neighbors who plan block parties and some they even vacation with!

Last summer they enjoyed an action -packed trip to Montana riding horses, off-roading, floating the river and trying out ranch life. As Faye adds, “While we love exploring and traveling, we are always so happy to come home to Walnut Creek. We couldn’t imagine a better place to live.” We are fortunate to have this caring family as part of our community.

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at knavolio@bestversionmedia.com.