Support for Tom Couch's Memorial and Family

This fundraiser is for memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, for my father Tom, who recently passed away on his 76th birthday. The donations will go towards his memorial service and to assist my mother with this difficult transition.

Stuart "Tom" Couch was born June 19, 1948, in Pasadena, California. Shortly after he graduated high school, he was drafted into the US Army and served in Vietnam in 1969-70. After returning home, he worked with his father at Mt. Wilson Observatory, and spent the next several years working at observatories in Chile.

In 1978, he married his wife, Sandi, and adopted her 6-year-old daughter, Michele. Tom and Sandi moved to Ontario, California and later had their only child, Michael (me), in 1979.

Tom owned his own business, Couch Communications, installing radio towers on various mountaintops in southern California. In 1984, Tom and Sandi moved their family to the small desert community of Helendale, California, where Tom went on to become a pay-call firefighter. Tom was highly instrumental in the founding of Station 4, Helendale's fire station that services Helendale and the vast surrounding desert communities. Tom's expertise in fire safety led him to yet another career in the solar industry as a Safety Manager for KJC Operating Company in Kramer Junction, California. He finished his career in solar by helping with the startup of Nevada Solar One in Boulder City, Nevada.

Even in retirement, Tom continued to serve his community as a Citizen on Patrol (COP) for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. His hobbies included ham radios, camping, and helping anyone in need with handyman work since he was very knowledgeable in many fields such as welding, fabrication, communications, construction, electrical, and solar.

Tom is survived by his wife, Sandi, of 45 years; his daughter, Michele; his son, Michael; and four grandchildren: Christopher (27), Chase (20), Aidan (17), and Avery (15).

Thank you for reading Tom's story, and any contributions to assist my mother with services, as well as her transition into life without my father, are very much appreciated.