Scholarship fund created in honor of South Lake Tahoe's Mitch Underhill

It's been almost two-and-a-half years since South Lake Tahoe native Mitch Underhill died unexpectedly at the age of 34. The firefighter/paramedic with Lake Valley Fire Protection District was passionate not only about his family and career, but for the mountains and community he left behind.

In his memory, the Mitch Underhill Mountain Fund has been created at Lake Tahoe Community College.

"He was so loved in the community," said his widow Sarah. "He was an inspiration."

In a partnership with the school's LTCC Foundation, there will now be two scholarships at the college for students majoring in each Fire Science/Fire Academy and Wilderness Education.

After graduating from South Tahoe High in 1997, Underhill went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Westmont College in Montecito, CA in 2002. His passion for skiing, surfing, rock climbing and all outdoor adventure was evident throughout his life, and Sarah wanted to create something sustainable in his memory.

"He was so passionate about teaching the youth about having respect and love for the mountains," said Sarah. "Even though he was a fire fighter and loved his career, his love for the outdoors was foremost."

Sarah and their two sons, Cedar, 3 1/2 and Mason, 5, stayed in South Lake Tahoe after Mitch's death. "There was no way I could leave this community," she said. "I've never been in a community this close. I am completely humbled, and in awe."

She said the tight community fiber enabled her to be strong for the boys, and she wanted to pay-it-forward to continue his legacy.

"Mitch had a deep connection to the mountains and said that the higher he climbed, the closer he felt to God," according to information on the Mitch Underhill Mountain Fund website. "From an early age, Mitch loved exploring Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada—with a particular affection for Yosemite National Park and the east side of the Sierra."

As STHS seniors, Mitch and his best friend, Ryan Shreve, climbed the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite for their senior high school project. Shreve, who was a firefighter in El Dorado Hills, lost his life in 2003 following a wakeboarding accident at Folsom Lake.

Sarah worked with a team of friends to get the website up this weekend and she said there has already been a lot of buzz. Friend David Safanda designed the logo for the fund, and Hanna Bernard, Darcie Goodman-Collins, Todd Offenbacher, Damion Estrada and Nancy Harrison all helped get the project started. There are amazing photos on the website by Brandi Caskey, Corey Rich, Jim Thornburg and Sarah.

To find out more information on the fund and how to donate, visit www.mitchunderhill.org. Interested people can donate by check or on the LTCC Foundation website. There is also a facebook page set up for the fund.