Travis Gauch

Travis C. Gauch (October 17, 1995 – August 13, 2020) was a young man who found joy in the natural world and in the company of friends and family. Born in Wentzville, Missouri, Travis pursued the things that mattered to him: time outside, working toward his future, and celebrating life with the people he loved.

An avid outdoorsman, Travis spent many hours fishing, hunting, and exploring Missouri’s rivers and woods. Those who knew him remember a bright laugh and a ready smile, and how easily he could bring people together for a day on the water or an evening with friends. He earned his HiSET diploma and was studying agriculture, following a practical passion for the land and the work that supports it.

Travis was the son of Tyrone Gauch and Tanya Emery, and his family remained central to his life. He is survived by family members who loved him deeply, including his father and stepmother, Tyrone and Patty Gauch; his mother, Tanya Emery; his brother Tyler; sisters Katie and Justice; as well as several step-siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather William “Bill” Gauch and his stepfather Tony Emery.

Family and friends honored Travis’s love of the outdoors with a celebration of life held at Austin Lake on August 22, 2020, where people gathered to remember him in the place he loved. Those who loved Travis recall his warmth, his pleasure in simple outdoor pursuits, and the generosity of his presence.

Travis’s family asked that remembrances reflect his spirit: a young man who loved nature, treasured friendships, and looked forward to building a future through his studies in agriculture. He is fondly remembered by those whose lives he touched.