A member of the Newberg community and a former Newberg High School student passed away this fall.
Austin Babcock died on Oct. 27 in a single-vehicle rollover crash in Benton County, Washington, driving along on I-182. He was 27. The Newberg-Dundee Public Schools District Office staff heard about the accident on Nov. 26 and wanted to be sure that we shared what happened with families because of how much Babcock meant to so many people in the community.
“He will definitely be missed,” said his mother, Melinda Babcock of Newberg.
Austin Babcock and his younger siblings, Zachary, 26, and Emma, 23, all attended NHS, Mountain View Middle School, and Mabel Rush Elementary School (and Joan Austin Elementary during construction). As a teenager, Austin Babcock worked at Carlton Farms, and a co-worker inspired him to become a Consumer Safety Inspector at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Austin Babcock recently received an award for his exceptional experience and knowledge in his role with the USDA. What his family remembers most about him, however, is not just his impressive work ethic but his passion for the outdoors.
“When he wasn’t working, he was fishing,” Zachary Babcock said.
Austin Babcock even enjoyed time on the river when he wasn’t the one fishing. He captained a fishing boat and he and his brother cheered for their mom and sister reeled in salmon during a women’s fishing tournament this past September in Astoria. In fact, this close-knit family could often be found together. Loss can be especially painful for a close family, and Melinda Babcock said that it’s harder still since her children’s father died in a motorcycle accident in 2005.
Despite the pain, the family carries many beautiful memories, including the positive impact that Austin Babcock had on the people around him.
“He was an absolutely hilarious guy, just a standup guy, really there for people, liked to teach others things, and had a vast amount of knowledge of everything he pursued,” Zachary Babcock said.
Emma Babcock agreed.
“Austin was truly an amazing big brother and an inspiration in many ways,” she said. “He had a magnetic personality, and he will be missed more than any words can express.”
The Babcock family also continues to achieve success in their careers, just as Austin Babcock did. Emma Babcock is a veterinary technician who attended Portland Community College. Zachary Babcock is currently studying aviation maintenance and technology at PCC. Zachary Babcock is also blessed with a bright-eyed son, Owen, a Joan Austin Elementary first-grader who will always remember his uncle.
“He really looked up to Austin,” Zachary Babcock said.
Many people in the community looked up to or simply adored Austin. In his honor, the community gave 69 donations totaling $6,012 to a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay for his cremation and memorial service. The community has not yet reached their $10,000 goal. If you wish to help the Babcock family in this difficult time, donate or share your memories of Austin Babcock on their GoFundMe page. Even your kind words would be appreciated for this young man who always had a smile on his face, and who was so happy and kind, according to his great uncle, David Schlarbaum.