Wadsworth Scott Cauchois

Wadsworth Scott Cauchois Scotty Cauchois, longtime Piedmont resident, passed away peacefully at home September 2, 2011 at the age of 92. Born in New York City on April 23, 1919, Scotty was the son of Eleanor Scott and Reginald Wadsworth Cauchois. Scotty's sisters, Eleanor and Frances, and brother Reginald Jr., predeceased him. Growing up in Yonkers, New York and spending summers in Quogue, Long Island, Scotty was an avid and lifelong sailor. Scotty graduated from Kent School, Kent, CT in 1938 and attended University of Virginia until 1941, when he entered Navy flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station. After advanced flight training, with a promotion to Lieutenant, Scotty was qualified to fly every plane the Navy had during the War, transporting aircraft between the US and the South Seas Naval theatre. His descriptions of landing on "band aids" as he labeled the small island airfields were hilarious especially when birds almost the size of Navy planes were standing on the runways. In 1942, he married Elizabeth Cooper of Detroit, MI. After living near Navy bases all over the U.S. during the War, Scotty and Liz settled in San Francisco and Scotty embarked on a long career with the Atlantic Companies, specializing for many years in marine and later in commercial insurance. Scotty and Liz had three boys, Scott Jr., Gage, and Tom. After moving from San Francisco to Marin County in 1949 "to get some sun," Scotty entered the San Francisco Bay sailing community with Bear Class Number 20, Trigger. From his base at the San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC), Scotty raced for 37 years and won dozens of sailing awards in the Bear Class, "Woody" series, and Master Mariner series. At various points in time, Scotty headed the Bear Class, the SF Bay Yacht Racing Association, and served on many committees of the SFYC. In 1995 he was honored by the San Francisco Yacht Club with the Emmet L. Rixford Trophy as Yachtsman of the Year. In 1957, Scotty married Mary Lawler Snow and settled in Piedmont for what would turn out to be the next 53 years until her death last year. Mary's three daughters, Maryly, Nancy, and Diane brought new fatherhood opportunities. Mary played tennis, Scotty sailed, and in between race weekends Scotty began a long career as a volunteer in the Piedmont Police Department's RSVP program - Retired Senior Volunteer Police. He was a fixture in nearly every 4th of July parade. Proudly driving the city's mayors down Highland Avenue in his sparkling black 1935 Ford Phaeton four-door convertible. As Scotty's sailing career came to an end and he sold the Phaeton, he kept up his almost daily tennis game on the Community Courts. Stubborn as he was, he didn't give up until failing sight in one eye and diminished sight in the other caught up with him. Even then he tried, but finally gave up when he found himself serving into the backs of his doubles partners. Scotty was a beloved neighbor to children in his neighborhood, introducing them to new toys, models, tools, and gadgets of every type. They would often visit and hang out in the garage or house, doing some sort of project or just chit-chatting. Scotty is predeceased by his wife Mary. He is survived by three sons Gage, Tom, and Scott Cauchois Jr. and daughter-in-law Karen Notsund of Piedmont, and by three step-daughters, Maryly Snow, Diane Snow, and Nancy Weatherford and husband Dale. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Scott III, Marie, Camille, Marguerite, Tom Jr., Bill, Elizabeth, Jennifer and Lindsay, and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a daughter-in-law Linda Cauchois and sister-in-law Audrey Cauchois, nephews John, Peter, and Scott Sartorius, and niece Carol McCormick. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Piedmont Beautification Foundation, Piedmont Education Foundation, or a charity of choice.