The worker killed last week while working on a mixing machine at a Petaluma business was Kyle Drake, 38, of Petaluma, according to the Sonoma County Coroner’s Office.
Drake died June 11 after getting pulled into the machine at Rogue Research, where he worked. He’d apparently been mixing powders for supplements when he became caught in a mechanical part.
Rogue Research, on Copeland Street, makes soap and supplements.
Petaluma police and the state employee safety department, Cal-OSHA, are investigating.
Drake lived most of his life in Petaluma and was known for his creativity and his ability to design and build a variety of intriguing things, including a life-sized carnival game and a 3D printer, according to his obituary. He also was remembered for his passion for beef jerky and tri-tip.
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Kyle DRAKE (1979 - 2018)
"You will be missed Kyle, by all who loved..."
- Maryl Meyer-Maehler
DRAKE, Kyle Kyle Nicholas Drake, loving brother, son and friend, died suddenly June 11, 2018 while at work.
Ever creative, Kyle relished looking for ways to make things better for those around him, helping without complaint when a need arose, and finding new, innovative ways to support his friends and coworkers. Kyle loved video games, board games, cooking, lifehacks, and new technologies. It was not uncommon to see him either building something new, like a 3D printer, or taking apart something old, like a Nintendo.
His passion for beef jerky and Tri-Tip was legendary. Kyle proudly served as official Ringmaster for Phoenix Pro Wrestling in Petaluma, where he worked to make each show special for families and fans attending.
He could be counted on to make any good idea into a great idea, be it building a giant wrestling cage, constructing a life-sized carnival game, setting up an underground archery range, designing and assembling a homemade T-shirt cannon, or coordinating an elaborate fake fishing expedition for the internet. He especially enjoyed meeting his many online friends in real life, once helping solve an anime-themed escape room with them for a Twitch stream and eating a stunning spread of fancy cheese. Kyle was born December 27, 1979.
Aside from his early years in Oklahoma as well as a short stint in Chico, where he kept fond memories, Kyle lived most of his life in Petaluma, a city better off for it. He leaves behind his brother Josh, his mother Millie and his father Keith, all of Petaluma, as well as numerous friends and PPW family.
Private services will be planned. Kyle was one of the good ones. He will be sorely missed.