Brent Douglas Vandemark, 34

Sept. 23, 1976 - May 31, 2011

Brent "The Machine" Vandemark, 34, passed away May 31, 2011, in Athol. Brent was born in Coeur d'Alene and grew up in Rathdrum. He graduated from Lakeland High School.

Brent began working for Eagle Manufacturing in his teenage years and became very successfully self-taught and self-employed in his business, Rivercity Home Solutions that he owned for more than four years. His final place of employment was at Rivercity Fabrication in Post Falls where he was named "The Machine." When he put his mind to something, there was no stopping him. Brent enjoyed wood and steel working. When asked early in May which he preferred, he replied "my hearts steel all the way."

Brent spent most of his adult life in North Idaho and Spokane with a couple of years spent in Florida. Brent enjoyed the outdoors and was very active. He rarely missed a good workout everyday. His passions were cooking, traveling and building motorcycles. He dreamt of visiting Greece and retiring in Costa Rica. On the weekends he could be found rummaging garage-sales, hiking Tubbs Hill with his girlfriend and puppy, and doing service work for the 12-step program he was a member of; however it was usually spent working on building "the hog" with his best friend, Ivan, and planning their motorcycle business.

Brent was determined to have a good time. He was light-hearted and very quick-witted. He was easy to talk to and always had everyone rolling with laughter. We will all remember his sideways grin and his famous words, "Why wouldn't it." Brent wanted to live his dreams and be the best dad he could to his son, Kane. We all love you so much Brent!

Brent is survived by parents Neil and Phyllis Vandemark, Jim Larson and Jackie Rutchi; son Kane Vandemark; siblings Angie Vandemark-Madden, Marco Frassine and Chris Cook; nieces Ashley, Kylie, Ashlynn and Lillian; his Rivercity Fabrication family, Abby, Ivan and Luke; and his 12-step recovery friends and family of Coeur d'Alene including his girlfriend, Bobbi Smith and sponsor Sean Brown.