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For the Record: OBITUARIES

Connie Eskridge

Connie Eskridge, a resident of Truckee since 1985 and an active grief support volunteer, died at home Friday, Aug. 3 at the age of 50, following three and a half years as a liver cancer patient.

A recreation graduate of California State University, Northridge, Connie was a founding staff member of the Psychiatric Intervention Center at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Southern California. She and others on that team pioneered the development of protocols for quick evaluation, intensive treatment and release or placement of psychiatric patients. This early work was recognized in the psychiatric community even before fast-track treatment became popular.



Connie also worked as a registered recreation therapist in private practice to re-socialize patients following severe emotional trauma, and directed the recreation programs at several convalescent hospitals. Her primary therapeutic specialities were theater, role-playing and ping pong. She created activities with these games which produced more effective mental health rehabilitation than group therapy, without having the stigma of therapy attached to it.

In 1985, Connie became a Hospice volunteer in Truckee and was a vocal advocate for the creation of a stand-alone hospice program at Tahoe Forest Hospital. She co-founded the family grief ministry at Assumption Catholic Church and the hospital’s support group for those with terminal illnesses.



In 1994, Connie visited London to research services and activities provided by the staff of St. Christopher’s Hospice, which was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders, M.D., who started the modern hospice movement.

As her cancer progressed, Connie became a Tahoe Forest Hospice patient and continued to be active in the support group as her mobility would permit.

She and her husband operated Donner Lake Village from 1987 through 1989, and she was active in their conference business at the Growth Management Center as group coordinator and accountant from 1990 until 1998.

A funeral mass was held at the Assumption Church on Wednesday, Aug. 8, with burial at Sierra Mountains Cemetery.

Before her death, Connie asked that friends consider making a small donation in her name to Tahoe Forest Hospice (P.O. Box 759, Truckee, CA 96160) or to their local hospice and that friends send a note of remembrance and encouragement to her children (P.O. Box 10209, Truckee, CA 90162).

Connie is survived by her husband Rob, children Mat and Caitlin, sisters Michael Ann Fuentes, Melissa Graham and Brigid Byers, and by her brother Chris Menke.

David Alan Brodie

David Alan Brodie, 40, died Aug. 2, 2001, at his residence in Brockway.

Brodie was born in Truckee on May 2, 1961 to Dr. W. Douglas Brodie and Nancy Brodie. He lived virtually all of his life at North Lake Tahoe, working for approximately 20 years at the Sierra Boat Company. He enjoyed skiing and boating, especially on and about his beloved Lake Tahoe. He was a member of the Calvary Chapel in Truckee.

He is survived by his three children, Amber, Ashley and Dekon Brodie, their mother, Michelle Ventura-Linenko, his mother Nancy Brodie, his sister Marilee Gripp, his brother John Brodie, his father, Dr. W. Douglas Brodie and step-mother, Jule Dee Ann Brodie, along with several cousins.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, August 12 at 7 p.m. at the Tahoe Christian Center in Lake Forest, Tahoe City.

William Gautsche

William Gautsche of Truckee died Aug. 2 at the Tahoe Forest Hospital Extended Care Center. He was 91.

Born in Houston, Texas, he had moved to Truckee in 1941, and served as the only California Highway Patrol officer in the Truckee area at that time.

He retired from the Highway Patrol after 25 years of service in 1965, and worked for his son at Gautsche’s Chevron until 1988.

He had lived in his home in the Gateway area since 1949, and he and his wife Helen, who passed away in 1995, were married for 65 years. He was a Methodist.

He was preceded in death by his wife, brothers Ernie and Roland, and sister Emma Jean Gautsche.

He is survived by his son Ron Gautsche of Truckee, sister Rose Havens of San Diego, one granddaughter and two great grandchildren.

No services will be held at his request. Arrangements are being made by Truckee-Tahoe Mortuary.

Harry Hanns

Harry L. Hanns, 80, of Indiana, died Saturday, Aug. 4, at St. Mary’s Hospital.

He was a longtime resident of Donner Summit before moving to Reno 11 years ago. Hanns was a World War II veteran, serving in the European Theater from 1942 to 1945 as a sergeant in a tank division.

Harry retired from Southern Pacific railroad and then worked for the Truckee Cemetery. He was instrumental in the design and constriction of the cemetery’s gazebo.

Surviving are his wife, Concordia; sons, Thomas and John; daughter, Susan and three grandchildren.

At his request, no service will be held.

BIRTHS

Birth information for Tahoe Forest Hospital is submitted to us by the hospital. If a local baby is born in another area hospital, please call us at (530) 587-6061 to learn how to submit birth information.

CORRECTIONS

The Sierra Sun staff prides itself on accuracy. If you see an error, please call the Editor at (530) 587-6061 and a clarification will be run as soon as possible.


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