Nico Linesch was an important part of the early CSSC community and served as a Northern California Representative. Later, when he had returned to UC Davis to complete his graduate work, he found out that the Education for Sustainable Living Program had few student leaders. Nico took it upon himself to bring people together and even hosted many meetings in his home. Nico was a kind, creative, and collaborative person and will be sorely missed.
CSSC is helping Nico’s family establish a scholarship fund to support students who take an interdisciplinary approach to government or non-profit service. You can read more about the fund and contribute here.
CSSC Alumni/ae reflections:
“I remember the first time I met Nico at the UC Davis CSSC Convergence over 10 years ago, his passion, brilliance, ambition, and positive optimism for how to create a more sustainable world deeply inspired me. I am so grateful to have had so many wonderful memories of Nico. My heart goes out to his family, friends and his partner Gene.”
-Katiyana Kittay
“Nico was an angel, he was a powerful being that moved me just through his vulnerability, his passion, and his assuredness.”
- Kase Wheatley
A Light for Endarkened Times (In Memory of Nico Linesch)
In opening moments when I surveyed the CSSC convergence crowds,
Student voices spread from whispers to unhinged tones raptured and loud,
Yet brother Nico seemed to cast his presence in measured gain,
Driving an alternate vision of transportation and planning
like an unstoppable solar powered train.
In an effortless way, he drew out new voices and connected with the old…
With hugs and smiles he welcomed all into the green fold.
Being the long haired food guy who fired up our motely crew
I sensed this brother also had his own witches brew.
And let me tell you…during Spring of 2008
Nico blew my mind with his culinary heavy hitting weight.
Amidst San Francisco’s hosting of Slow Food Nation,
he opened his home for an epic brunch of scone sensations.
From quiche, marmalade, and flowers on the table,
we welcomed in Mother Jones for a real food story cable,
The journalist sought to capture our youth movement through our stories and shared meal…
yet our words were shadows to his flavor and open home feel.
That morning stands out for Nico’s tap root truth, of uplifting his community and causes for care…
In a world now left more bare
from his kindness and nature to fight the good fight
as we carry on drawing from memories soft light.
Deep gratitude and blessings Nico as you set soar from these lands,
left rich with moments never forgotten when lived in heart and hand.
-Tim Galarneau, UCSC Alumni, CSSC Foods Campaign Founder, & former CSSC Board of Advisors