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Rigisich

Serge Rigisich

Serge Rigisich  (May 3, 1959 – January 8, 2019)

Serge Rigisich passed away in Incline Village, NV on January 8, 2019 after a short battle with pneumonia. Serge started at defensive back for University of California at Berkeley before transferring to the Naval Academy (1978) to join the 15th Company (1982) playing for Coach George Welsh.  Unfortunately, Serge tore his ACL Plebe Year which did not deter him as sailing, too, was a passion of his. He was part of the Macmillan and Kennedy Cup teams as a trimmer on the offshore sailing team and earned his “N” letter sweater to go along with the one he earned at Cal Berkeley.

No one was more surprised than his company mates when Serge chose to leave the Naval Academy after Youngster year. He enrolled in Cal Maritime Academy, utilizing the expertise and understanding of the Naval Academy and how best to run a “tight ship” he rose to the leadership ranks as their Cadet Commander. While on Maritime cruises around the world he would update classmates with postcards which were received with excitement and admittedly, some jealousy.

A natural leader who excelled in everything he did, his success after the Naval Academy was no exception.  After graduating from Cal Maritime, Serge embarked on a career sailing tankers for Chevron eventually deciding to return to the California/Nevada area to start his own business; Rookies Sports Bar and Grill in the Lake Tahoe basin. Without previous knowledge of the restaurant business his exemplary style of leadership and success did not fail him. Rookies remains a destination favorite of locals and those traveling to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and outdoor sports for which Lake Tahoe is known. Rookies celebrates it’s 30th year as if Serge is still leading. Just this summer Rookies donated food and sustenance to the Firefighters battling the Sierra wildfires that ravaged the area at the behest of his sister Shelly.

After Serge’s passing, Rookies held a memorial which attracted over 650 people who came to remember him.

Serge was preceded by his mother Mimi and father Slavo, a WWII Marine veteran who served in the marine special force Carlson’s Raiders. Slavo’s service was the legacy inspiration Serge had to serve our nation and others. He is survived by his brother Steve and sisters Shawn and Shelly.

-Michael Case ‘82

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