RENO, Nev. - Kevin Richard Welch of Reno, Nevada passed away on August 20, 2006. He was born on October 14, 1958 in Denver, Colorado and was lovingly adopted by John and Alberta Welch. Being the son of an Air Force officer, he moved often during his childhood and lived in Denver, Wichita Falls, Texas, and Fairborn, Ohio. He spent most of his youth in Rapid City, South Dakota. Kevin graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City, then attended the University of South Dakota. He completed nursing school at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Kevin moved to Reno, Nevada in 1980 and began his nursing career at Washoe Medical Center, where he worked until his death. While at Washoe Medical Center, he met and married the love of his life, his wife Patricia Collins. They raised two loving children, Jesse and Chelsea. Kevin's life centered on his love for family and his commitment to the care and well being of the patients he attended. He was a constant fan and spectator at his children's athletic and school events and enjoyed camping in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. Among his hobbies were model building, fishing and gardening. He enjoyed family gatherings and relished the company of his family and friends. Kevin and his family spent part of each summer vacation visiting relatives and old friends in Rapid City. As a psychiatric nurse at Washoe Medical Center, he devoted his heart and soul to the care of his patients. During his career he received numerous awards recognizing his many contributions to the mental health field and those he served. Kevin will be sadly missed by those who loved him and by those whose lives he touched. Kevin is survived by his parents John and Alberta Welch of Rapid City, South Dakota; his wife Patricia, his son Jesse and daughter Chelsea, all of Reno, Nevada; brother Carl Welch of Reno, Nevada; and sister Theresa Denning of Rapid City, South Dakota. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated for Kevin at St. Albert the Great Church in Reno on Friday, August 25. Interment was at Mountain View Cemetery in Reno. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund for his children (the Welch Children's Fund) was established at the Bank of America, 4998 West 7th Street, Reno, Nevada 89503.
Published in the Rapid City Journal on 8/31/2006.