Obituaries

February 20, 2024, sadly marked the passing of Robert (Bob) A. McDowell at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada after a long, heroic battle with kidney disease. He was 80.

Bob was born in Berkeley, California to William and Patricia McDowell. He graduated from El Cerrito High School and received his B.S. in Natural Resources Conservation in 1967 and his Master of Science in Forest Management in 1973 from Humboldt State University. He earned a Graduate Level Certificate for Environmental Planning at UC Davis.

Christopher D. McClure, 52, after a short battle with cancer passed away on January 30, 2024, at Renown Hospital surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on February 11, 1971, in Anaheim, California, the son of John W. and Karen J. (Buran) McClure.

Jimmy was born January 18, 1945 in Woodward, Oklahoma to Nick and Theresa Reszetylo. The oldest of six children he graduated from Aliquippa High School in Aliquippa, PA. He enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Minot, North Dakota where it was so cold he volunteered to go to Vietnam in 1966. Upon honorable discharge, he moved to San Diego and worked for Beneficial Finance then on to Ventura County where he won highest producer awards at Winfield Title Co.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Bricker, aged 91, on December 19, 2023. She left this world surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Born on August 1, 1932, Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Bricker was a devoted, loving wife and partner with her husband Darell Gene Bricker of 61 years, embarking on great adventures to the far reaches of Alaska and many journeys in between. Liz met each of life’s challenges as opportunities and left everything she touched in a better place.

To our beloved Destiny. It is with grace and sorrow to say that Destiny passed away on November 22, 2023. Destiny was a bright light, she could make anyone’s day with just her smile. Destiny will forever be 19 years old.

She was just about to graduate this Spring from LTCC. Destiny was loved by countless hearts and has left her impact in each and every one of us. We miss you Destiny!

May your strength linger on to all of us grieving. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent their prayers and love.

Former South Lake Tahoe resident and businessman, Mark Cohen, passed away on August 20, 2023 in Bothell, Washington at the age of 77. Mark was born on July 9th, 1946 in Los Angeles, California to Harry and Mildren Cohen and he was an only child. He graduated from Westchester High School in 1964 and went on to study at Santa Monica City College earning his associate’s degree and later transferring to UCLA. He met Virginia Martin, and the couple was married in February 1968.

Thomas Incopero was born on October 17, 1953, and passed away on September 26, 2023. Tom moved to Lake Tahoe in 1976 with his family and fell in love with the area and enjoyed the beauty.

Tom was married to his wife Julie for 50 years and they embraced their love together. At Lake Tahoe, he raised his daughter, Misty, and son, Tommy. He enjoyed archery, motorcycle riding, and his beautiful Cobra.

Tom was a very proud grandfather of two wonderful grandchildren.

Robert James “Buzz” Bruzzese passed away unexpectedly on November 9, 2022. He was born on March 21, 1953 in Queens, New York. Shortly before his first birthday, his family moved to St. Clair Shores, Michigan where he lived until he left to attend Western Michigan University. After graduating, he moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1978.

Jeffrey Jay Kaufer was born May 26, 1951. Jeff passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a year and a half battle with cancer.  He was born in Detroit, MI and his family relocated to Southern California when he was 5 years old. He and his brothers bounced between Thousand Oaks and Hollywood. A highlight from his childhood was getting Sandy Koufax to give him and his two brothers, a ride home after a game.

Steve grew up with his brother Ralph in Southern California. Steve loved the ocean, developing a lifelong passion for surfing. Still, he knew Southern California wasn’t where he wanted to stay. When Steve graduated from high school in 1973, he went to visit friends in South Lake Tahoe for three weeks and instead found his forever home.

The world has lost one of the best. On July 24th, at 78 years of age, Doug Forte passed away while on vacation in Maui. Doug was a 41-year resident of South Lake Tahoe. For the last four years, he had been living in Green Valley, Arizona where he lived with his wife Mary and dog Lola.

As his wife held his hands, Jim Haydn Sears passed away peacefully on July 26, 2023, in Carbondale, Colo., at the age of 71. Throughout his life, Jim found immense satisfaction in serving and protecting his country and community, both in the U.S. Army and in various law enforcement positions. Numerous accolades note his intelligence, ingenuity, initiative, common sense approach to challenges, calm and easygoing nature, and, above all, his interest in helping others. He was not averse to challenging tradition or providing his point of view, even when it conflicted with that of his superior.

Mary Dolores Townsend passed away on March 3rd, 2023. Mary lived to be 92 years, 1 month, and 21 days young. She deserved every single one of those seconds on earth. We are certain she has the biggest and most tropical suite in heaven with her late husband Jimmy, her sister Theresa, and the many more that preceded her.

Vincent Michael Lee passed away at the age of 65 on June 26, 2023, after suffering a traumatic head injury from a fall. A memorial service will be held for him at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at St. Theresa’s church in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Richard (Rick) Kenneth Hertzog passed peacefully at Barton Hospital in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. on Friday, November 4, 2022, after a lengthy illness. He was 72 years old.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Nevada Beach Pavilion. The beach is located on Elks Point Road. There is a $10 parking fee for the state beach.

Read obituary here.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Celebration of Life has been scheduled for Jay Conroy on Thursday, July 27. It will be held in the Heavenly Ski Resort Cal Base Lodge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you are planning on attending, please let the family know here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSV1bCFI5Dv6QeKch3nIrJctn0jRmnjf5Gr16BHAtXe1sSIQ/viewform. There is a hosted reception.

Bring your stories, memories, and a "fun hat."

Edwin Atwood Winslow of South Lake Tahoe passed away on May 10, 2023. He was born to Dorothy Jean Cramblett and Edwin Winslow Sr. on March 5, 1958, in Stockton, Calif. He moved to South Lake Tahoe as a young boy and made Lake Tahoe his home for 55 years, making him a docent of Tahoe, where he would take family and friends on tours. He could name every landmark and knew all the special places to take them. He attended Tahoe Valley Elementary School, South Tahoe Middle School, and graduated from South Tahoe High School (STHS) in 1976.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Marvin Buchmiller and Michael Clark on Sunday, May 21 at 1 p.m. at the American Legion in South Lake Tahoe.

Marvin Buchmiller was a 10-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra where he served as president during the 2014-15 administrative year. In addition, Marvin worked for more than 30 years with the disabled community members in South Lake Tahoe, helping those less fortunate in obtaining and serving in the job market to what extent their disability would allow.

There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate the life of John D. Gillespie on May 6, 2023, at 12:00 p.m.

It will be held at the Carson Valley Country Club, 1029 Riverview Drive, Gardnerville, Nev.

Please come and share your stories and memories of this remarkable man.

Lennette M. Perry passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 70.

Gabriel "Gabi" Ruedorfer Cozzaglio was born in Germany on January 29, 1929, and died on March 22, 2023. She had three older brothers and a younger sister who passed away before her.

She lived in the extreme of World War II and remembered having to be quiet when bombs were going off. Her mother would go out to protest the war and the family always prayed that she would come home and be safe. Gabi was her dad's favorite and she said he always spoiled her. She was the smallest in the family and when clothes or shoes were handed down she stuffed the shoes with paper so she could wear them.

Ivano Costantini, the owner of the popular Ivano’s Restaurant in Stateline, Nevada, passed away unexpectedly on December 6, 2022. He was born in Milano, Italy, and grew up in Napoli, Italy. Ivano graduated from the Institute of Agrario in Ponticelli before moving to the United States in 1989.

Ivano worked in the restaurant business in California and then opened his first restaurant in Lake Tahoe in 1994. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed boating, fishing, skiing, and running – everything Lake Tahoe had to offer.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) faculty, staff, and students are mourning the passing of Wilderness Education and Outdoor Leadership director and faculty lead Dr. Clinton Culp.

He experienced a non-trauma medical emergency on Friday, January 27 while leading an avalanche instructor training class near Luther Pass. Despite the best life-saving efforts of the staff and students in the field, some of whom are medical professionals, and the emergency professionals who arrived at the scene to assist, Dr. Culp passed away. He was just 56 years old.

In loving memory of Thomas Warren Schwindeman.

Thomas was born in South Lake Tahoe, California, on February 6, 1986. Thomas passed away on December 25, 2022.

Thomas is survived by his mother, Julie Schwindeman, Jasmine (sister) and Jahn Jacobson, Niece Cora Jacobson, Aunt Sue Vradenberg, Uncle Douglas and Karen Broemmer, Aunt Paula and Cousin Nadine Schwindeman and Cousins Hector and Kasadid Broemmer.