December 1, 1940 - December 29, 2 013
Robert Louis Du Fresne, 73, a longtime resident of Virginia City and Gold Hill died Sunday, Dec. 29 at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. Du Fresne was born Dec. 1, 1940 in Sacramento to Josephine (Potts) Du Fresne and John William Du Fresne. Du Fresne lived in Virginia City since 1948. He graduated from Virginia City High School in 1959 and was a point guard for the 1958-59 state championship basketball team. In 1972 and 1973, he along with Greg Hess earned the World Champion Double Jack rock drilling title. He also competed in endurance racing completing four 100-mile horse rides.In high school he worked as a cook for Pat and Pena Hart at the Brass Rail Saloon and for surveyor Walter Reid helping him survey parts of rural Nevada and assisting Reid with repairs to the Virginia City water system flume.He served in the U.S. Navy on Okinawa as a Seabee. During his time on the Comstock he worked for the Storey County road and fire departments. He retired from the Nevada Department of Transportation in 1994.He was a member of the Storey County Jeep Posse and a former member of E. Clampus Vitus. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting and was typically on the range from August through November each year with his family and friends. Some of his other hobbies included flint knapping, wood cutting, reloading and golfing. He is survived by his children Kelli Du Fresne, of Minden, John Du Fresne of Virginia City, Robert Du Fresne, of Gold Hill. Their spouses Jeff Hinkle, of Minden, and Marie Du Fresne, of Gold Hill. Grandchildren Josephine Du Fresne, of Pineville, LA, and Christopher and Joshua Du Fresne, both of Gold Hill. His sisters Claire Obester and Nancy Du Fresne, both of Carson City, and Lynette (Du Fresne) Lockhard, of Salinas, CA: nieces Kitty Thompson, of Gardnerville, and Dr. Dana Current of DeGraff, Ohio, and a nephew William DelCarlo, of Salt Lake City and their families. He was preceded in death by his sister, Aglaee DelCarlo in September and his former wife Lorraine Du Fresne in 2008. A celebration of his life will take place at 1 pm Jan. 18 at the Ice House, on Toll Road in Virginia City. To get to the Ice House from the Carson City side, take the first right turn after Greiner’s Bend. From Reno, continue through town on the main street and turn left just after the Nevada Department of Transportation maintenance yard. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the the Virginia City Motorcycle Marathon, the Storey County Jeep Posse, the Virginia City High School Booster Club or a charity of your choice.
