The memorial, a beautiful abstract steel sculpture standing on a round plinth of river rocks, was done in memory of John Douglas Ochs, a 43 year old Colville resident who tragically died in 2004 as the result of a wind-surfing accident near Kettle Falls, WA.
The sculptor of this piece was
David Govedare, a local Native American artist. A prolific producer of steel sculptures, some figurative, some abstract, his works are scattered throughout northeastern Washington State. Unknowingly, we have seen Govedare's work in downtown Spokane, high on a hill above the Columbia River in Okanagan County and in other small towns and along the highways and byways of Washington.
Born in Auburn, WA, John Ochs spent his early years there and moved to Colville with his family at the age of seven. While in school he was a baseball player and a wrestler. Following school he enjoyed many recreational sports, including volleyball, basketball, softball and was a Little League coach. He also enjoyed hunting, playing golf, fishing and water and snow skiing.
After graduation he worked on the family farm for several years, followed by a move to Vaagen Brothers Lumber of Colville. Married in 1987, he left one son.
Source: The Spokane Spokesman-Review
The Plaque:
Opie's Spirit Flame
In Loving Memory
John Douglas Ochs
2-9-61 8-3-04
Thoughtful, Kind and Caring
An Angel Walking
Amongst Us