Obituaries
Snowboarder from Watsonville Area Killed in Colorado Avalanche
Rick Gaukel was one of five people who were killed Saturday.
A 33-year-old who grew up in Santa Cruz County was killed in an avalanche Saturday while snowboarding in Colorado.
Rick Gaukel was one of five people killed in the avalanche — the deadliest avalanche in Colorado since 1962, ESPN reports.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports that Gaukel was snowboarding in Loveland Pass, Colo. for the Rocky Mountain High Backcountry Bash, an event that raised funds for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Gaukel was a 1998 Aptos High School graduate and attended schools in Watsonville and Pajaro Valley, according to the Sentinel. He moved to Estes, Park, Colo., where he taught. His mother lives in Capitola.
ESPN reports that Gaukel was an American Mountain Guides Association-certified snowboard instructor and a Wilderness First Responder.
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
He was married with no children.
A memorial service may be held in Santa Cruz County May 4, according to the Sentinel.
Did you know Rick? Please share your memories or condolences in the comment section below.
Stay Patched in! Follow Watsonville Patch on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for the daily newsletters.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
