Darcy Kim Tosch

In Loving Memory of Darcy Kim Tosch

March 9, 1950 - October 20, 2025

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived".

Thoreau

Darcy Kim Tosch completed his life on earth on October 20, 2025, in Hillsboro, Oregon. He was born in Yakima, Washington, on March 9, 1950. He lived on a farm near Prosser, Washington, for the first almost six years of his life, where he joined two of his three siblings, Deatra Brittell and Korlan Tosch. Sister Andrea Stoller came along about three years later, completing the family of his parents, Frank and Doris Tosch.

A little boy stood looking through the farmhouse screen door. A bolt of lightning flashed in the distance; moments later, majestic thunder sounded. The boy's eyes widened, and he ran into the kitchen-not from fear, but wonder. "Mommy, Mommy! The sun burped!" This was an early hint at who Darcy would become: a man who marveled at and immersed himself in the natural world.

In 1956, the whole family moved back to where Frank and Doris's family started-Forest Grove, Oregon-where Darcy attended school for the next 12 years, making many lifelong friends.

Further education included Northwest Christian College, Western Oregon University, and Chemeketa Community College for the Oregon Building Department's Accreditation. In between formal education, Darcy learned many skills through work experiences.

Darcy became a tour guide in Mt. McKinley National Park (now Denali), immersing himself in the culture, the flora, and the fauna. Later, between working with family in construction, he explored the

Northwest by motorcycle, visiting his many friends along the way.

His first real estate purchase was a property in Timber, Oregon, with the Nehalem River running through it. It was a wonderful, almost magical place for his close friends and family to visit. The inground pool made summer swimming for many of us very happy.

Midway through Darcy's life, he settled in Hillsboro in a rented home near his aging parents, in order to be available to help them. He walked downtown each weekday, several miles, carrying his simple lunch in a brown paper bag, to work as a Hillsboro City Building Inspector. Just as he had been as a boy at home, whenever he earned any money, he wanted to share it with his family and friends, and seldom spent it on himself.

Until, at age 60, Darcy married a young lady named Christie Bennett. Together they went hiking and camping, and cared for her little granddaughters, friends, and family.

He had invested in wooded property years earlier, on which he finally built a craftsman-style home, including beautiful craftsman furnishings. Darcy offered to and made furniture for friends and family in his wonderfully equipped shop.

Christie eventually moved to Prineville to join her son and grandchildren, while Darcy remained in Hillsboro. They kept in touch often.

Darcy continued his generous ways to all of his friends, family, and neighbors. His dog, Bailey, was his closest companion, as had been all of his previous pets. Bailey was the glue of his friendship with his wonderful neighbors, and she found a home among them.

Darcy will always be a cherished person in our lives.