Inverness resident Seth Levinger, who was in a coma last week after a snowboard accident at Kirkwood ski resort, died Thursday, Dec. 18, after being taken off life support. He was 22.

Three days earlier, Levinger was snowboarding alone down Kirkwood's intermediate-level Caples Crest run when he crashed into a tree, said resort dispatcher Richard Brown.

Levinger was taken by helicopter to Washoe Medical Center in Reno, where he was placed on a life-support system. Doctors determined he had massive, irreparable brain damage.

"He was a professional snowboarder. Nobody could believe he had an accident," said friend and ski-lift supervisor Lindy Neimann. Mr. Levinger had worked at Kirkwood as a lift operator for five winters.

The ski resort's chairlift tickets paid tribute to Levinger all last week as he lay in the hospital, she said. "On Tuesday, when we had more hope, the tickets were stamped with the words, 'Get Well Soon.' On Wednesday, they said, 'Let Seth Ride,' and on Friday, they said, 'We'll miss you.'"

In addition, all of Kirkwood's chairlifts stopped for a minute on Friday to commemorate the "tremendously popular" snowboarder, Neimann said, adding that the resort plans to name a ski run after him next year.

"Seth was real popular. He was a calm kind of person, real quick to smile," Neimann said. "He loved the mountains, he loved his friends, and he loved Sasha."

Sasha Matson of Carmel Valley, also a Kirkwood employee, was married to Seth at a bedside ceremony last Wednesday afternoon, said his father Banana Levinger of Inverness.

Speaking for the groom was Seth's younger brother, Ezra Levinger, also of Inverness.

Born and raised in Inverness, Mr. Levinger attended West Marin School and Tomales High where he crafted "incredible stuff" in woodshop, his father said.

His son's craftsmanship was fostered by Miwok culture classes taught by park staff, his father added. "People teaching the class were amazed at how skillfully he made Miwok baskets. Seth was very interested in getting in touch with the Miwok and getting into the history of this local area."

In addition, the father said, his son was a talented skateboarder and surfer. "Like snowboarding, those sports are about balance and knowing where you are at every second in time."

As a Tomales Bay fisherman, cook, musician, and friend, "Seth promoted fellowship - real community values, not the Newt Gingrich stuff, but the real thing," his father said.

"He was such an easy-going guy," said longtime friend Nina Clark of Point Reyes Station. "I loved his laugh."

Besides his father and brother, Mr. Levinger is survived by his mother Kate Hilton of Inverness; brothers Lorenzo, Virgil, Bubby and Woozle, all of Inverness; sisters Phoebe of New York and Maggie of Inverness; grandmother Louise Levinger of Inverness and grandparents Phil and Evelyn Hilton of Salt Lake City; and numerous aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27, on top of Mount Vision.

An account has been opened at the Bank of Petaluma in Point Reyes Station for Mr. Levinger's wife, Sasha Matson. Memorial donations can be sent to Account No. 004-022968.