Mischa Revotskie: ‘A vast and all-inclusive heart’

This section includes both obituaries and memories. Honoring our loved ones who have died does not end immediately after their passing. We recognize that… so we’re extending our obituary section to include individuals who may have left a long time ago. If you want to remember someone who is gone, either recently or longer ago, please send a photo and your memories to [email protected].

Mischa Noel Revotskie of Santa Cruz, CA, passed away on Nov 19^th, 2020 at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. He was born in Eureka, along with his twin sister, Shanti, on Aug 19, 1976 to Jenny Edwards and Peter Ring-Revotskie. He spent his childhood and early youth in Salmon Creek where he was nurtured by the community and by Salmon Creek Community School. He attended South Fork High School, graduating in 1994 as salutatorian. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing in 2006 from UC Santa Cruz.

Mischa had a vast and all-inclusive heart and his kindness touched many lives. For the last decade he worked at Trader Joe’s in Santa Cruz and could be found behind the register with a yellow daisy behind his ear held in place by his huge, curly afro. He had a kind word for all, causing many customers to gladly wait in his normally long line for that genuine, friendly connection. Mischa was a lover of people, music, reading, and words. Nearly every day you could find him sitting on a bench overlooking Monterey Bay working on the New York Times crossword , chatting with someone, or texting his friends puns and wordplay. His mastery of language and his profound capacity to feel also made him an avid poet who spun beautiful and surprising lines that could make you laugh or bring you to tears.

During his lifetime, Mischa became an accomplished disc golfer, competing in professional tournaments for many years. In remembrance, one of his friends stated, “Mischa was the first disc golfer I ever saw who was really, really good. He threw rollers before I knew they existed!” Another friend: “He could make a putter do voodoo s**t!”. Mischa is also quite possibly the only one to ever have invented and played the ‘Frisbee Base’, which is an impromptu musical instrument created by stretching thick rubber bands across a frisbee. He became quite proficient at the Frisbee Base, even participating in jam sessions with a band. In addition to crosswords, poetry and disc golf, Mischa loved children, animals, cooking, and nature. He was a gentle soul with a heart like the ocean. We will love him forever.

Mischa is survived by his parents, Jenny Edwards and Peter Ring-Revotskie, his twin sister, Shanti Albani, and multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Like the serenity of dewdrops decorate a morning glade
Like the brilliant shatter shower of a waterfall cascade
We are made of stardust, and must return to where we’re made

Mischa N. Revotskie