Rich Nourse

Kenneth Richard Nourse died at UC Davis Medical Center on March 20 after a lengthy battle with leukemia. Rich is survived by Mary, his wife of 57 years, and their three children: Kate Walker, her husband Michael, and daughters Charlotte and Avery of Aptos; Ben Nourse, his wife Kelly, and children Josie and Beckett of Tahoe City; and Holly Winberry, her husband Andrew, and daughters Adeline and Iris of Fair Oaks. Rich was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Dick and Beryl Nourse, and his brother Jerry Nourse. He is survived by birth siblings Pam Martin, Dennis Hope, and Rick Hope.

Rich and Mary met at a public speaking class at Diablo Valley College and were married in 1968. They lived in Monterey, California, and then Bad Kreuznach, Germany, where Rich served in the U.S. Army until 1970. The couple returned to San Jose for a year, where Rich took business classes at the insistence of George Browning, owner of Sardine Lake Resort. With the help of his dad, Rich was pursuing his dream to purchase the beloved resort. The couple moved to Sierra City to work at Sardine and were set to take ownership after one season, but George died suddenly and his family stepped up to operate the resort. Rich and Mary opted to stay in Sierra City where Rich was employed in a variety of ways (Sierra City Deputy, US Forest Service Recreation crew, and Insurance/Real Estate sales) until settling on a 30-year career as an appraiser for Sierra County. He became Assessor in 2008.

Rich and Mary were always drawn to Sierra City’s rich heritage. They have supported the Kentucky Mine Museum and Park since its inception when Rich worked on the original trestle restoration. They purchased the 1886 Holly House in Sierra City in 1974, and its renovation has been a lifetime passion/pain. For 10 summers, they lived in the basement while running the home as a bed and breakfast inn. It appeared on the HGTV show “If Walls Could Talk,” featuring love letters found in the walls.

In addition to his family, Rich’s true passion was service to Sierra City Volunteer Fire Department. Over a period of 50 years, he served as chief, assistant chief, fire commissioner, and EMT. In the 1970s, he was instrumental in expanding the district to finance a new fire truck. He was also a driving force behind the annual Firemen’s Follies and a real diva on stage.

A joyful celebration of Rich’s life will be held at Sardine Lake Resort on Saturday, May 31 from 2-4 PM. Donations in his memory can be mailed to: Sierra City Fire Auxiliary, PO Box 55, Sierra City, CA 96125.