LTCC Mourns Unexpected Death of Tahoe Firefighter, Former Instructor

Lake Tahoe Community College joins the Lake Valley Fire Protection District in mourning the unexpected loss of firefighter paramedic Brandon “Mitch” Underhill. The 34-year-old, known as Mitch, died Sunday, September 29th.

Underhill has been an instructor at LTCC as part of the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy since 2009. He joined the Lake Valley Fire District in 2005, and served the community for just over 8 years in that capacity. He is survived by his wife, two young children, his parents, and his brother and sister.

Dean Virginia Boyar, who oversees the Fire Academy at LTCC, said of Underhill, “Mitch was a wonderful fire academy instructor and we will miss him dearly. Our hearts go out to the Underhill family as well as his extended family at Lake Valley Fire Protection District. It’s a tragic loss.”

Donations to assist the Underhill family can be made at any El Dorado Savings bank branch under the name of the “Underhill Family Fund.” A fundraising website has been set up at www.rememberingmitch.com.

A celebration of life has been scheduled for October 20th, 2013 at 2pm at
St Theresa Church, 1041 Lyons Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Details on lodging discounts and other news can be found on the above website.