Fundraising Campaign To Help West Hartford Avalanche Victim's Family

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Friends and family of the West Hartford man killed last month in an avalanche in Washington State are raising money via GoFundMe to help out his family.

According to the GoFundMe page, which was set up by Hisik Kang, Seongtae “Bob” Cho, 54, left behind a wife and three children in West Hartford.

The fundraising page aims to raise $40,000 and, as of late Friday afternoon, it had already raised $16,326.

"His love for the mountains led him to Colchuck Peak in Washington, where a snow avalanche claimed his life," wrote Kang on the GoFundMe page. "Bob was a compassionate person who always put others’ needs first. He constantly had a smile on his face and an abundance of hugs with his greetings."

He leaves behind his wife, Mijeogn and their three children, Charles, Cecilia and Christopher.

"The devastation and heartache his family is experiencing from his sudden passing cannot be expressed," reads Kang's words on the GoFundMe page.

"The harsh reality of carrying on with Bob’s business, having to make ends meet and continue to support their children’s education completely falls on his wife Mijeong."

According to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office in Washington, Cho was one of three people killed in the avalanche.

The avalanche happened Sunday, Feb. 19.

Also killed were a 60-year-old woman from Bayside, N.Y., and a 66-year-old man from Palisades Park, N.J.

The fallen trio was part of a group of six climbers trying to climb an area known as Colchuck Peak on Sunday. Three other climbers survived.

Colchuck Peak is near Colchuck Lake, which is located approximately 8 miles south of Leavenworth, Wa.

Kang said Cho's body has been recovered and will be flown back to Connecticut soon.

He said the goal is to raise about $5,000 a month for the next eight months to help the family get through these difficult times financially.

To donate to the GoFundMe campaign for West Hartford resident Seongtae “Bob” Cho's family, click on this link.

From Feb. 23: 'Avalanche Claims Life Of West Hartford Man: Sheriff'