She leaves behind her son, Jeff of Rocklin, CA; daughter, Stephanie of Portland, OR; ex-husband, Scott of Rocklin, CA; mother and step-father, Joanne & Bill Ricks, AZ; brothers, Lawrence Gallagher, WA; Scott Gallagher, ID; step-brothers, Don Church, FL; Tom Church, MT; John Church, WA; and step-sister, Kathy Williamson, ID. Vickie was preceded in death by her father and step-mother, Charles (Bud) & Alice Gallagher of Renton, WA; and many heart-broken friends and beloved students.
Born in Renton, WA, Vickie lived throughout the Pacific Northwest. She graduated in 1983 from Walla Walla College in Washington State with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, got married, and stated her first teaching job in Seattle, that same year. In 1984 she and her husband, Scott, moved to Ukiah, CA, where Vickie put her teaching career on hold to take on the role of mother. She gave birth to her first child, Jeff, in July of that year, followed by the birth of her daughter, Stephanie, in 1986. When the family moved to Portland, OR, in 1987 she returned to teaching when her own children began school at Portland Adventist Elementary School. She later taught at Rivergate Adventist School and became principal there in 1995. In 1999, she came to Northern California and served at Echo Ridge SDA Elementary School in Nevada City from 1999 to 2003 and Pine Hills Adventist Academy in Auburn from 2004 to 2006. She then joined the teaching staff at Orangevale SDA School, where she was currently teaching kindergarten in the morning and classes for the seventh and eighth graders in the afternoon. In 2008, she completed her master’s degree in educational leadership from California State University, Sacramento. Vickie’s love of her profession was obvious in her interactions with her students. “Love what you do, and know that it matters … what could be more fun?” she once said.
When not in a classroom, Vickie’s other passion took her to activities requiring a helmet. She grew up riding motorcycles with her brothers and shared her joy of riding with her son and many others. She was an avid dirt bike and street bike rider and was doing what she loved when her life was cut short by a tragic accident just outside of Placerville. It was her love for her family, people, teaching, and God that will keep Vickie Altman forever in the hearts of many.
Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.
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