Quentin Thomas James Derocher

Quentin also has an online memorial at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com Quentin Thomas James DeRocher Post Falls—Quentin DeRocher, formerly of Tacoma, WA, came into this world wide-eyed and rarin’ to go on September 22, 1996, in Tacoma, WA. He died in a car accident outside of Post Falls, ID, on December 1st. He was 19 years old, and in his 19 years he charmed most everyone he met. From the moment he was born, he had his wide eyes open, as if he was always ready to experience and learn the next new thing. Through those sparkling eyes—the most honest eyes—he lived his life, through those eyes you could see his sweet soul. Quentin was a happy baby—he always woke up bright-eyed and bushy tailed—and early on developed passions and qualities that defined him for the rest of his life. On the day he was born he watched the Mariners try to make the playoffs, and he went on to become a baseball player par excellence, fearlessly guarding home plate as catcher for his teams. Even as an infant he was an adventuresome eater who loved spicy foods, and his culinary curiosities continued. At the age of 7, when his mom was sick, he secretly fired up the grill and prepared perfectly cooked hamburgers—grilled bun and all—for dinner. This early love of food and cooking matured into an interest in nutrition and sustainability, local and organic foods. His passion for grilling never subsided, although steak replaced burgers as his meat of choice. He especially loved Pho, his mom’s spaghetti, and “our burritos.” Everyone who knew Quentin quickly understood that kindness and empathy defined him. His uncommon compassion for other people was evident at an early age. He was just 4 years old when he MC’d a fundraiser for the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, and he remained involved with that organization most of his life. His love for old people and animals was surpassed only by his love of children: among grateful parents across the Northwest he distinguished himself as the “baby whisperer,” and his deep empathy led him to volunteer for the Special Olympics. Many of Quentin’s other qualities also emerged early. He was hard-working, capable, independent and entrepreneurial, possessed of a “can-do” attitude that he put to good use. When he was about 7 he started a lawn-mowing business with his friend Saul. No mere lark, the business was soon replete with flyers and a web-page, and Quentin kept busy pushing a mower—a feat that required him to fully extend his little arms over his head while he labored. A self-taught tech wizard, he started “Quentin’s Fix It,” a service dedicated to repairing Mac products, as a sophomore in high school. He printed and passed out business cards, and came home most nights with an I-Phone or an I-Pad to revive. Quentin loved music, all kinds of music, listening to music and making music. He had an amazing ability to pick up any instrument, from wind to percussion, and master it. He felt most at home in the recording studio with his Dad. He’d happily help his Dad with anything that needed to be done. Quentin was so proud of his dad, and he cherished the time they had together, especially in recent months. Quentin’s passions included as well the outdoors. He became something of a survivalist even as a child—making little emergency packets that his mom would find in random places around the house—and he developed into a crack shot as he grew. The men at the Gig Harbor Sportsman’s Club took him under their wing, and he was soon spending happy afternoons duck hunting with Chris Bouchee. He later became adept at re-loading, a passion he shared with his “Paca,” Joe Wagenfehr. Quentin was generous with his love, and was loved by everybody in turn. For his mom, Laura Elizabeth DeRocher, he was the light of her life. He was beloved by his dad and stepmom, Brent and Dixie DeRocher, and his sisters Makenna and Savannah. His grandparents Claudia and Joe ”Paca” Wagenfehr, Marie Medlin and her husband Jim Godfrey, Glenn “Popeye” Medlin, Tom “Papa” DeRocher, Darleen and Daryl Beatty, Dixie Kazmark, along with his many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends, loved him deeply. Quentin’s girlfriend, Savannah Sanders, was the love of his life. She made him a great man, and he adored her. He had plans in the works to offer her a family heirloom ring and was planning their future together. Intelligent and inquisitive, spirited and strong-willed, informed and articulate, passionate and personable—Quentin was all these and so much more. He loved documentaries and golf, football and politics, research and conversation, their cat Luna, and his childhood pets Buddy the dog and Tiny the kitty. He made the most of his time on earth, and counted among his homes Tacoma, Spokane, and Coeur D’Alene, as well as Stevensville (MT), where he spent summers, and Arizona, where he enjoyed visiting his grandma (and getting to drive the 40 mph golf carts around her retirement community). We are so grateful for the time we had with him, our hearts are broken that he is gone. Services will be held Thursday Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Community Baptist Church in Stevensville. Memorials in Quentin’s name can be sent to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, 409 South J St., Tacoma, WA 98405, Attn: Frank Caruso.