Strong supporters and Founders of the Yavapai Community College Southwest Wine Center
In an email to students and faculty, Dr. Lisa Rhine lamented the deaths of Patricia Beitzinger and Neal Baltz, who died in a California boating accident September 2. They were on the boat “Conception,” which burned killing 34 people in California’s worst maritime fire in recent history.
Dr. Rhine wrote:
“The Community College family and the Southwest Wine Center community lost two very important supporters, Patricia Beitzinger and Neal Baltz. Early Monday morning the couple was a part of a dive team on a boat that caught on fire killing at least 20 people. The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for the remaining 14 passengers who have not been found.
“Patricia and Neal, were strong supporters and Founders of the Southwest Wine Center. Although they lived in the Valley, they were both frequent visitors to Yavapai College and the Southwest Wine Center. Neal was a 2017 YC Viticulture and Enology program Alumnus and also had endowed a Viticulture scholarship in his name
“Our thoughts and prayers are with both of their families during this tragic time. As soon as we learn of any funeral arraignments we will communicate that information to the college community.”