In Memoriam

In mid December 2011, Leslie Schiesswohl passed away unexpectedly at the age of 26. Leslie began service as an AmeriCorps member in the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) in October 2010 where she served as part of a crew in Renton, Washington. She spent the year working throughout King County on salmon habitat restoration projects along rivers, creeks, and wetlands. Leslie returned for a second year of AmeriCorps service, beginning October 2011. She earned the title of Assistant Crew Supervisor after demonstrating leadership and a dedication to serve her community. During this second year within our program, Leslie served on a spike crew, based in Issaquah, Washington, working on a variety of projects, from trail building to wetland mitigation sites.

We knew Leslie for her determination and hard work ethic, but also her easygoing nature. She was tough as nails and tackled any task, but she was also quick with a laugh and could brighten the coldest, dreariest Pacific Northwest winter day with her infectious smile. She was detail-oriented and made sure that tasks were not simply completed, but were completed well. She was famous for her amazing spotted owl calls that she had perfected while on a timber company’s resource survey crew, before joining the WCC. During breaks, we often found Leslie, sitting on a log, hooting back and forth with actual owls. Leslie also enjoyed helping others. She earned the gold level Presidential Volunteer Service award during her first year with the WCC with over 140 hours of community service. Many of those hours, she spent volunteering with the nonprofit, Outdoors for All, leading snowshoe trips for children with disabilities.

It has been difficult to come to terms with Leslie’s sudden passing. She touched our lives and hearts in many significant ways. She had overcome and accomplished a lot in her short time. Leslie Schiesswohl was an outstanding member of the Washington Conservation Corps and her community. Her positive attitude, radiating smiles, and incredible owl hoots will be sorely missed.

Prepared by Peter Nevin, WCC Crew Supervisor

Memorials for Leslie

We have added information on memorials for Leslie here: https://www.facebook.com/events/326835154016330/