Photographer, painter, e-bike designer and author Joe Schopplein of San Francisco and Clearlake Oaks, Calif., died on Sept. 16, 2016.

Joe lived with enthusiasm for 88 years.

He is survived by his wife, Corinne McEvers.

Joe’s family survived in Germany during World War II despite being anti-Nazi. Afterward he emigrated from East Germany to Canada and, eventually in 1952, to San Francisco in order to be able to speak his opinions honestly.

His life and those of his circle of friends were and are emblematic of what has been special about the City. Joe’s autobiography, “But Fear Itself,” is available as a download on his Web site, www.SchoppleinStudio.com .

His first camera was from the crash of a Luftwaffe plane. Joe documented hundreds of pieces of furniture for students, woodworkers and publications. He photographed the collections of San Francisco City museums and art galleries. His archives hold the images of artists from William Wiley to Peter Voulkos. He was thrilled by the replacement of film by digital techniques. No more negatives and slides to archive!

Joe’s delight in discovery was boundless. For last few years he had been building a series of state-of-the-art electric bicycles, which he considered perfect for San Francisco’s crowded streets and Lake County rural roads, and safe for an octogenarian. The bikes and his research are on his Web site.

We wish him an open road for his journey into wherever he goes next. Perhaps the potato salad in the afterlife is a good as that which he made. His was a friendship to treasure.