Wadsworth Scott Cauchois, Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wadsworth “Scott” Cauchois, Jr., beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2019 at his home with his loving family by his side. Scott was born on January 15, 1944 in New York City, the first born son of Elizabeth Cooper and Wadsworth “Scotty” Cauchois. Scotty was a Navy pilot and after several moves, the family settled in Kentfield, CA. Scott loved exploring the then quiet rural Marin County on his bike with his friends which impelled a lifelong connection with Stinson and Bolinas beaches. After his parents divorced, he and his two brothers, Gage and Tom, went to live with their mom in Detroit, Michigan. A number of years later, the boys welcomed their sister Mimi to the family. At age 13, Scott was sent to Kent School, an Episcopal boarding school in Connecticut, where he really did have to go to church every day and twice on Sundays. The strict environment and distance from family led him to forge strong and lasting friendships with Tom Ryan, Sam Watkins, Herb Tully, Bip Wolfe, Sid Tolle and others, known as the “Anything for Kicks” class. Scott was a member of the 1961 Kent Soccer Team that was recently inducted into Kent’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Upon graduating from Kent, Scott returned to California and studied agricultural and resource economics at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal). He played on the Cal soccer team coached by Bear’s legend Bob DiGrazia, and was named to the NCAA All-American team in 1965. Scott remained active in support of the Cal Men’s Soccer Team, especially during retirement where he helped with fundraising efforts and enjoyed attending Cal games with a close cadre of former Cal players. While an undergraduate at Cal, he also met and married Sherry McMurtry. After graduating in 1966, they moved to Davis and raised two children: Wadsworth Scott III and Elizabeth Marie. Scott entered the graduate program in agricultural and resource economics at UC Davis and earned his Ph.D. in 1977. His degree took quite some time to complete as he was simultaneously raising his young family, playing and coaching competitive soccer and tennis, gardening, and exploring his more dramatic side as a triple threat actor, dancer, and singer. A long standing member of the Davis Bad Actors, who primarily performed at Davis’ infamous The Palms Playhouse, Scott’s most memorable performance was in the home-grown rock musical “Robin Hood” which played for weeks to sold out audiences in 1977. Scott’s professional life was focused on energy and regulation. His career began at the California Energy Commission and later moved to the California Public Utilities Commission. At the CPUC, Scott worked in the Division of Ratepayer Advocates where he combined his love of economics and efficiencies with his deep belief in equity. He was a true ratepayer advocate. Scott spent his life as an advocate for liberal causes and took a hands on approach through protesting the Vietnam War, inhumane agricultural labor practices, and in his later years, advocating for more renewable energy to address climate change. Scott met a similarly left-leaning advocate at the CPUC, Karen Notsund, and they were married in 1991. Scott and Karen made a home in Piedmont with their two daughters – Camille and Marguerite Cauchois. Throughout his life, Scott loved the outdoors where he enjoyed soccer, tennis, backpacking, hiking, fishing, skiing, and gardening. He was a gifted athlete and had to choose whether to play soccer or tennis for Cal since he qualified for both teams. He continued playing soccer in a variety of leagues and on a number of semi-pro teams well into his 40s. When his knees and feet finally cried uncle, he continued to pass on his love of soccer as a youth soccer coach and director. As one of the founders of youth soccer programs in Davis, CA, he began coaching five year olds in 1971 and continued coaching for decades. Anyone who knew Scott was keenly aware that another great love of his was his dogs. He raised several Airedales in his life, many named “Rusty”, but also Willy and Max. More recently, Tilly and Tucker were his constant companions. A great day for him always included taking Tilly and Tucker to a park or beach where he could watch them run and swim. In Scott’s retirement, he also enjoyed cooking intricate meals, reading his favorite mystery novels, traveling, watching soccer, discussing politics, and visiting his daughters in the various places that they lived. A service will be held at The Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg, California at 2:30pm on November 17. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Achieve Tahoe (PO Box 8339 Truckee, CA 96162), or to The Bishop’s Ranch Annual Fund (5297 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448). The greatest tribute to Scott though would be to vote for anyone but Trump next November!

Wadsworth Scott Cauchois, Jr.

January 15, 1944 - November 1, 2019

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