The fatal accident on Bogus Basin Road Saturday left a huge hole in the community. We now know 80-year-old Cesar Quijano was killed when his vehicle left the road while heading to the mountain.
He was a 44-year member of the ski patrol at Bogus and friends say he left a lasting mark.
"He was a teacher, mentor, friend and colleague, and an asset to the community - and he will surely be missed." says friend Kevin Hudson.
Hudson says he and the rest of the ski patrol were stunned by the news that a long time friend was gone.
"You're born terminal and you know you're not getting out alive," says Hudson, "but you don't expect it to happen on a sunny Saturday. It's hard for us."
Quijano's Hummer inexplicably went off the road just a mile or two up Bogus Basin Road.
The 80-year-old made the trip thousands of times.
Over the years, the architect helped design and build new structures at Bogus including the hideout ski patrol building at the top of Deer Point.
"His mark is left on Bogus Basin and he won't be soon forgotten." says Hudson.
Hudson says Quijano always had a positive attitude, willingness to help, and a great sense of humor.
"I was looking at a car that he eventually bought and I said I didn't buy it because I couldn't see out," remembers Hudson. "He said it was because I was too short and of course Cesar was five inches shorter than me, so I thought how tall does a guy have to be."
Quijano's whole family skied and was involved in teaching or racing at Bogus Basin.
"Once you become part of the Bogus Basin family, it's hard to walk away from it," says Hudson.
And Cesar Quijano, never did.
A service will be held for Quijano this Thursday at St. Johns Cathedral in Boise at 4 p.m.
