Vernon L. "Mac" Sohrt

Vernon Lowell Sohrt "Mac" passed away on January 31, 2026 after a long and valiant effort fighting cancer. He endured many years of physical pain and fought it with the same courage, grit and determination that made him the ruggedly resilient biker he was. By day he was a consummate three-piece suit and tie executive, but his true spirit and soul was always rollin free anywhere the open road would take him on the back of his Harley.

Vern was born January 10, 1956, in Rapid City, South Dakota to Bob and Barbetta Sohrt, both of whom preceded him in death. The family moved from South Dakota and Wyoming to Reno in the early 1960's. Vern grew up in Reno; graduating from Reno High and attended UNR. He later graduated from UNLV with a B.S. degree in Hotel & Hospitality Management.

Vern first went to work at the Tropicana in Las Vegas in the late 1970's and quickly discovered his intuitive intelligence, charisma and natural charm traits which instinctively led him to sales. He quickly rose to Executive Vice President of Convention Sales back during the last of the old glory days when the "Trop" counted as one the iconic hotel casinos in Vegas.

Vern later traded Vegas neon glitter to return "home" to Reno. He became Executive Vice President of Sales at John Ascuaga's Nugget for the bulk of his career. Over the years, Vern became a successful executive both in Reno/Sparks and at the national level. Vern spent much of his life on the road in one way or another. He was equally at home in corporate boardrooms and corner offices as he was on the open road.

He traversed the country with relentless stamina, always impeccably dressed and ready to close the next deal. He was every inch the sharp and polished executive; decisive and articulate. For him, sales trips didn't end at five o'clock. Vern often ditched the tie and inked many a business contract in after-hours bars and white linen restaurants where real relationships were forged over the clink of glasses or quiet handshakes. His likeable sincerity and gregarious personality made him lifelong friends with many colleagues and clients wherever he went. Vern's successful reputation made him a natural choice for recruitment. He moved briefly to the Peppermill and then to Grand Sierra Resort in the same executive capacity but was forced to cut his career very short due to declining health.

Vern came of age in the rebellious times that were the 1970s. Early on he was shaped by the raw guitars of Zeppelin and Zappa and, carrying the free-wheeling spirit of rock and roll deep into his bones. From the first time he picked up a guitar, rock 'n' roll became more than music—it became a lifelong companion and compass. Amplifiers, steel strings, and driving rhythms fed his soul like nothing else could, whether he was practicing alone at midnight or just jamming with his band of brothers. He loved to experiment with intricate licks on one of his many prized guitars or just get lost in playing his favorite gritty blues guitar riff of ZZTop's "La Grange." On many fun filled nights, his basement transformed into home base for laid-back jam sessions where guitars rang, stories flowed, and laughter prevailed.

Vern managed to blend his innate freewheeling and gregarious personality into his professional life as well. Often when the workday ended and the tie came off, he became the fun boss, and many folks gladly joined him in many after-hours jam sessions playing his much-loved rock n roll.

Vern was a biker at heart. He was guided by a fierce independence and a commanding presence. When the tailored suit gave way to a pair of lived in blue jeans and worn boots at the end of the day he climbed onto his Harley and became "Mac." True to his nature as a simple, soulful musician and biker, Vern proved that responsibility and rebellion—and an unshakable love for the freedom of the ride—could all coexist within one man.

Vern is survived by his wife of 28 years, Melissa, who never left his side as he endured his long battle. He is also survived by his "sis," Pam (Terry) Geurin and his niece and nephew, Linsey Heermans and Brian Geurin. Although we will miss him every day, we are grateful that now he truly is that "Free Bird" that he loved to sing often about. A Celebration of Vern's Life will be held in Reno at a later date.