Riley Zickel Search Fund

We are raising money for the Zickel family in order to aid with the ongoing search for Riley. With your compassionate donations, Riley's family will continue to search for him until he is found.

This fund is a critical tool to aid his parents in hiring private search teams, covering travel costs, supplies, and whatever else they may need. This is a very trying time, and any donation will assist in the ongoing efforts to locate Riley. All funds received go directly to the family, and every donation, large or small will aid in our effort.

Riley Zickel has been missing since leaving for a overnight hike in Jefferson Park/The Pacific Crest Trail (Oregon) on July 26th.

Riley, a 21-year old, has grown up with a love for nature and music. Riley’s love and talent for music earned him a scholarship to Lewis and Clark College in Portland Oregon. Riley is a chemistry major, minoring in music. He plays in orchestra and jazz groups for the school. Riley’s father recently said after one of Riley’s performances, “I told him later that a true musician gives his all to the performance. He surely did. I could not have been prouder.” Riley is an experienced backpacker, who often talked at length with his mother, Erin, about his experiences. Riley's mother so beautifully said “In these ways and through his music and in his positive and loving attitude toward everyone, he made a mark on the world. I guess that’s all any of us can hope for in one life. I will forever be grateful to him for those gifts to me during those twenty-one years of his life here with us.”

Riley is loved and cherished by many. His warm smile and easy-going personality are well known in his small hometown of Sebastopol California. While Riley’s family tries to deal with what seems to be an inevitable outcome, they are adamant about locating Riley and returning him home. Riley's mother Erin said “The thing that is so devastatingly beautiful in all of this is that Riley perished doing what he loved the most in all the world and now, he is literally part of that wilderness.” This trying time requires immense love, prayer, support and positive energy for Riley and his family. The outreach has already been amazing, and we will continue this energy and compassion as the search continues.

We truly thank you for all of your kindness, support, and willingness to contribute to this fund for the family of Riley Zickel.