Sad News - Got Yaswen RIP

[american dream]

You who have known Gor Yaswen through WACCO, the SRJC, theater, poetry, as a KOWS host, or as a friend and local Sebastopol character, should know that he lost control of his motorcycle, hit a guardrail on Highway 12, and died on Tuesday. Gor was seventy-nine at passing. If a memorial for him is in the works, I'll share it with WACCObites who would like to attend.

[american dream]

I just heard form Arnoldo that there will be a gathering for Gor at the KOWS studio (500 N. Main in Sebasotpol) on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

[Dixon]

I just heard form Arnoldo that there will be a gathering for Gor at the KOWS studio (500 N. Main in Sebasotpol) on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

3-4 PM is what I heard. This needs clarification...

[Shepherd]

The tribute to Gor has been extended to 2-4 p.m. this Sunday, as noted below. We have plenty of room for many people on the balcony in front of the studio and probably for gatherings beyond that, if needed. Please park on the street or in the Safeway lot, as requested below.

Roberta Teller will be hosting a special two-hour show focused KOWS host and West County personality Gor Yaswen. It will be broadcast this Sunday, beginning at 2pm.
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Please contact Roberta ([email protected]) indicating the time you can attend. Since this is last minute, Roberta wants to ensure that everyone attending has a chance to share if they want, whether that is through stories, poetry, music, or simply memories.
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Also, anyone that knows of the music that Gor liked, please let us know so that we can acquire it (or bring it).<o></o>
Remember: There is no parking at the church lot on Sundays. You can park on the street or at the Safeway lot.
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The show will be recorded and will be made available for download at a future time.<o></o>
Dave Stroud, [email protected]


3-4 PM is what I heard. This needs clarification...

[Shepherd]

Today's PD article on Gor's death follows:

Santa Rosa Junior College instructor Gordon Yaswen killed in fatal motorcycle crash

DEREK MOORE, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | March 4, 2016, 4:33PM

34998
Gore at the 2015 WaccoBB PicnicA longtime auto mechanics instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College was identified Friday as the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash earlier this week in Santa Rosa.

Gordon Yaswen, 78, died Wednesday afternoon after his 2015 Yamaha motorcycle drifted onto the shoulder of Highway 12 west of the intersection of Farmers Lane and struck a guardrail, the CHP said.

Yaswen was an adjunct faculty member in the college’s Industrial and Trade Technology Program, according to his online biography.

“He was planning to teach this week,” said Ken Olcott of San Rafael, a longtime friend of Yaswen’s and the executor of his estate.

Olcott said Yaswen enjoyed writing poetry, participating in community theater and helping the elderly craft their life stories. He also went on extended camping trips in his pickup.

Yaswen was particularly fond of motorcycles. Prior to becoming a college instructor, he bought “the simplest, ugliest, most rudimentary” bike he could find to ride and to learn the basics of mechanics, according to his biography.

Yaswen was happy to have a new bike to ride around on this year. He also was enjoying being in a new relationship with a girlfriend, according to Olcott. “It was one of his happier times,” Olcott said.

The circumstances leading up to the fatal crash are still being investigated.

The CHP said Yaswen was heading eastbound on Highway 12 at about 12:50 p.m. Wednesday when his Yamaha drifted onto the shoulder and struck the guardrail.

Witnesses reported that they did not see Yaswen speeding or interacting with other motorists at the time of the crash.

Those reports, coupled with no visible injuries on Yaswen’s body and his age, have led investigators to suspect he may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash, according to Officer Jon Sloat.
The coroner determined Yaswen died of blunt force trauma.

Olcott said Yaswen did not appear to have any pre-existing health conditions, such as heart disease. He said Yaswen was divorced and that he is survived by two grown children who live in Canada.

Yaswens’ death appeared to be the ninth in Sonoma County involving a crash in 8½ weeks. Since the start of 2016, four people have died in four crashes in Santa Rosa and five have died in four crashes on county roadways. A medical emergency caused one of the Santa Rosa crashes, according to Santa Rosa police.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or [email protected]. On Twitter @deadlinederek.

[Shepherd]

Appreciations to the dozen of poets and friends of deceased poet Gor Yaswen who crowded into the KOWS-FM studio for two hours of his poems, their poems, stories, and songs yesterday.

Dave Stroud taped KOWS two-hour tribute, a link to which follows. This is an example of what only a truly local community radio station can provide our West County. It is one thing to read an article in a newspaper and another to hear personal testimony regarding the importance of a member of our community who has passed on. No other radio station, regardless of how good they are, would carry such detailed local events.

Please stayed tuned at 107.3 fm if you live in the Occidental area or online at www.kows.fm (https://www.kows.fm). When our antenna hopefully moves to Pleasant Hill Rd. in the spring, you will be able to hear KOWS on your radio in much of the West County.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nmlfwsscmi7h6p8/Gor%20Yaswen%20Tribute.mp3?dl=0