RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL
RENO NEVADA
JULY 11, 1994
According to a July 11, 1994 article in the Reno Gazette Journal, Windecker and a diving companion entered the water from D.L. Bliss State Park the morning of July 10, descending to about 100 feet. When the pair of divers started to ascend to the surface, Windecker appeared to have difficulty with his equipment and began sinking, his companion reported.
His partner attempted to come to the diver's aid but was forced to surface after running low on air.
Ruscue divers attempted to locate the missing man but were unable to do so.
USA TODAY
AUGUST 9, 2011
BODY OF MISSING NEVADA MAN IDENTIFIED 17 YEARS LATER
RENO - Seventeen years after a scuba diver vanished into the cold depths of Lake Tahoe, the body of a Reno man recovered from the water in late July was identified by sheriffs officials Monday.
The driver was identified by the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office as Donald Christopher Windecker, who was last seen during a diving excursion off Tahoe's west shore on July 10, July.
The body, wearing diving gear, was discovered by a deep water diver in depths of 265 feet off Rubicon Point July 24. It was recovered by sheriffs officials with the use of a remote-operated submersible vehicle July 27. The body was well preserved by Tahoe's cold waters but final identification was made through dental records, sheriffs officials said.
Windecker, a 44-year-old planner for the city of Reno, was diving with companion in the waters near D.L. Bliss State Park when an unknown problem arose.
According to July 11, 1994 article in the Reno Gazette-Journal, Windecker appeared to have difficulty with his equipment and began sinking, his companion reported.
His partner attempted to come to the diver's aid but was forced to surface after running low on air. Rescue divers attempted to locate the missing man but were unable to do so.
Friends and former colleagues of Windecker said they were surprised his body was recovered from deep water after so much time has passed.
"It's been a long time. I guess it's kind of surprising, especially after all these years," said Vern Kloos, a Reno city planner.
"He was an outgoing person. He always had a positive attitude, "Kloos said of the co-worker everyone knew as "Chris".
Mike Ramos, a Reno real estate agent who formerly worked with Windecker for the city of Reno, discussed the loss of a friend he described "as a great family man."
Windecker was married to wife Mary and had two young children when the accident occurred. The family moved out of state afterward.
Ramos recalled the guilt expressed by Windecker left to go diving, he left his son a candy bar and note thanking him for being a good boy.
"That was the last thing he did for (the child)," Ramos said. "Something like that you don't forget too soon."
Ramos recalled the guilt expressed by Windecker's diving partner during a memorial ceremony after the accident.
"He really did feel bad," Ramos said. "We told him, "You know what? There are things you can do in life and things you can't." There was nothing he could do."
Recovery of the diver's body should help bring some closure to family and friends, Ramos said.
Written by Jeff Delong, USA TODAY
I was given more information by Chris's sister, Corey Windecker. She said per Chris's request he wanted to be cremated and have his remains spread over Lake Tahoe. She says it's a little ironic he was brought out of the lake just so we could put him back. On Sept 10, 2011 Chris' widow Mary Windecker, children, Marcus and Claire Windecker, sisters, Geri and Corey Windecker, brother and his wife, John and Lane Windecker, along with several close friends brought his ashes back to Rubicon Point and put him to rest once again. Corey says this memorial was not nearly as difficult as it was 17 years ago, but it did open up some scabbed over wounds. There was never any doubt in the family' minds that Chris had died that day because only death could have kept him from being the for his wife and children during the last 17 years.
Information by Corey Windecker
RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL
RENO NEVADA
JULY 11, 1994
According to a July 11, 1994 article in the Reno Gazette Journal, Windecker and a diving companion entered the water from D.L. Bliss State Park the morning of July 10, descending to about 100 feet. When the pair of divers started to ascend to the surface, Windecker appeared to have difficulty with his equipment and began sinking, his companion reported.
His partner attempted to come to the diver's aid but was forced to surface after running low on air.
Ruscue divers attempted to locate the missing man but were unable to do so.
USA TODAY
AUGUST 9, 2011
BODY OF MISSING NEVADA MAN IDENTIFIED 17 YEARS LATER
RENO - Seventeen years after a scuba diver vanished into the cold depths of Lake Tahoe, the body of a Reno man recovered from the water in late July was identified by sheriffs officials Monday.
The driver was identified by the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office as Donald Christopher Windecker, who was last seen during a diving excursion off Tahoe's west shore on July 10, July.
The body, wearing diving gear, was discovered by a deep water diver in depths of 265 feet off Rubicon Point July 24. It was recovered by sheriffs officials with the use of a remote-operated submersible vehicle July 27. The body was well preserved by Tahoe's cold waters but final identification was made through dental records, sheriffs officials said.
Windecker, a 44-year-old planner for the city of Reno, was diving with companion in the waters near D.L. Bliss State Park when an unknown problem arose.
According to July 11, 1994 article in the Reno Gazette-Journal, Windecker appeared to have difficulty with his equipment and began sinking, his companion reported.
His partner attempted to come to the diver's aid but was forced to surface after running low on air. Rescue divers attempted to locate the missing man but were unable to do so.
Friends and former colleagues of Windecker said they were surprised his body was recovered from deep water after so much time has passed.
"It's been a long time. I guess it's kind of surprising, especially after all these years," said Vern Kloos, a Reno city planner.
"He was an outgoing person. He always had a positive attitude, "Kloos said of the co-worker everyone knew as "Chris".
Mike Ramos, a Reno real estate agent who formerly worked with Windecker for the city of Reno, discussed the loss of a friend he described "as a great family man."
Windecker was married to wife Mary and had two young children when the accident occurred. The family moved out of state afterward.
Ramos recalled the guilt expressed by Windecker left to go diving, he left his son a candy bar and note thanking him for being a good boy.
"That was the last thing he did for (the child)," Ramos said. "Something like that you don't forget too soon."
Ramos recalled the guilt expressed by Windecker's diving partner during a memorial ceremony after the accident.
"He really did feel bad," Ramos said. "We told him, "You know what? There are things you can do in life and things you can't." There was nothing he could do."
Recovery of the diver's body should help bring some closure to family and friends, Ramos said.
Written by Jeff Delong, USA TODAY
I was given more information by Chris's sister, Corey Windecker. She said per Chris's request he wanted to be cremated and have his remains spread over Lake Tahoe. She says it's a little ironic he was brought out of the lake just so we could put him back. On Sept 10, 2011 Chris' widow Mary Windecker, children, Marcus and Claire Windecker, sisters, Geri and Corey Windecker, brother and his wife, John and Lane Windecker, along with several close friends brought his ashes back to Rubicon Point and put him to rest once again. Corey says this memorial was not nearly as difficult as it was 17 years ago, but it did open up some scabbed over wounds. There was never any doubt in the family' minds that Chris had died that day because only death could have kept him from being the for his wife and children during the last 17 years.
Information by Corey Windecker
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