Mitchell Lawrence ESPE

ESPE, RODRIGUEZ

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/14/2017 at 23:52:44

MITCHELL LAWRENCE ESPE
July 24, 1956 --- March 8, 2017

On March 8, 2017, the world suddenly and unexpectedly lost Mitch Espe and it will never be the same. Mitchell Lawrence Espe was born July 24, 1956 to Lawrence and Lois Espe. He grew up on a farm south of Kanawha, Iowa and later moved to Des Moines to attend Drake University. Mitch was a well-known figure in the Des Moines music scene until he moved to Los Angeles in 1994. After his move, he continued to practice his passion of music and consummate guitar playing expanding his repertoire from Pop, Rock and Jazz to Latin Guitar. He made his living playing beautiful music for many years after his move. In 2003, he met the love of his life, Christine, and married her March 21, 2004. He became instant "dad" to Maddy and Maegan and in 2006 he became a father to Maya. His girls/family were his greatest love.

He continued to play his music and expanded his career into sound engineering. He was loved and sought after for his great sound, hard work and kind heart. He was an avid (obsessed) Vikings fan and is still waiting for his team to get that ring. Mitch will always be remembered for his kind and gentle nature. He had a way of truly caring about everyone he knew and always doing whatever it took to help them. He was an amazing son, husband, father and friend, and will be missed deeply.

He is survived by his loving family; his wife, Christine, his daughters, Maddy, Maegan and Maya, his brothers, Roger and Steve Espe, John and Jim Rodriguez, sister Judie and their spouses and children, and by his (step)mother, Alice. Memorial services will be held in California and Iowa .

A memorial scholarship program has been established for the Drake University Music Program, which was Mitch's Alma Mater. To donate to the Mitchell Espe Memorial Music Scholarship please go to https://www.youcaring.com/drakeuniversityiowamusicprogramscholarship-780677

Thousand Oaks Acorn -- Thousand Oaks, California
March 23, 2017