In memory of Nathan Shelly, we ask that you please consider making a small donation to the National Park Foundation.
Nathan Shelly passed away at the age of 27 on April 7th, 2023. His death has left an unimaginable hole in the lives of everyone he knew. In lieu of flowers, we thought it would be appropriate to make a joint donation to the National Park Foundation. So many of our fondest memories of Nate involve the outdoors; from climbing and camping in Joshua Tree, to exploring the sulfur vents of Volcano National Park, to just standing barefoot in a field, throwing a frisbee. In a time where nothing feels good and nobody is quite sure what to do, we feel confident in thinking that Nate would appreciate us helping to take care of the land and the Parks that he so enjoyed.
Our monetary "goal" of $2,500 is arbitrary - please feel free to donate what you can, leave a note or a memory to be shared with the family, or just go for a hike soon and think of those you love.
A Little About the National Park Foundation:
NPF works to protect national parks and to create life-long connections to natural, cultural, and historical gems. As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, NPF is responsible for protecting the parks for future generations.
Nathan's obituary can be read in full below:
Nathan John Shelly, born October 28, 1995 in Chicago, Illinois, lived his full and too-short life mostly in Evanston, and died by drowning on April 7, 2023 in Sagres, Portugal. Second beloved child to Barbara and Glen Shelly, younger brother to Rachel Julia Shelly. First steps taken in Nicaragua during two early toddling years. Returned to Evanston, IL, walking, running and climbing. Voracious young reader, whether sitting, walking or biking. Grew into soccer, wrestling, tennis, and especially ultimate frisbee. Graduated from Evanston Township High School in 2014.
Nathan stayed close to home during college, studying computer science at Northwestern University, making excellent, lasting friends. Graduated with a BS/MS, then moved cross-country to San Francisco in early 2019, working in software development. After three years, Nathan dropped his lease, kept his paying gig, and became a nomad, traveling the country for the final 16 months of his life.
Nathan loved getting better, in multiple ways, though he was aware of his own limitations, reflecting, “there will always be more to improve, ways I wish my life were different, ways I wish I were different. That’s okay.” He challenged himself and others, questioning, curious, wondering what made people tick, including himself, and relished thought-provoking conversations. His efforts and enjoyments included: running, biking no-handed, intensive stretching, controlled breathing, glucose monitoring, ice baths, intermittent fasting and frequent saunas. Nathan didn’t mind encouraging those he cared about to join his current improvement efforts. Nathan had a monthly recurring reminder on his calendar: “Talk less, listen more.”
Nathan loved the outdoors and adventure. Upon arriving in the Azores in late March, he wrote, “I want to live in nature like this. It does good things for my soul.” Nathan enjoyed camping and backpacking, having tasted some of both in Banff, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Isle Royale, the Quetico, Shawnee National Forest, the Whites of New Hampshire, the Rockies of Colorado and Montana. Nathan enjoyed learning new things: scuba, bouldering, bike-skiing, cooking, woodworking. He loved exploring the world: Japan, Iceland, Portugal, with plans later this year to visit Holland, Norway, Germany, South America, Egypt, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia.
Nathan loved his family and friends, and they loved him. Before departing for Portugal, he wrote, “I am loved. And I love those around me. I have an amazing network of people I care about.” He gathered people online or in-person to play games of all sorts. During his nomadic final year, he organized friend-n-family-vacation-palooza gatherings in Colorado, Lake Tahoe, and Hawaii. He spent Thanksgivings with Rachel & Sam, and joined them for running races, whether 3.1 or 13.1 miles. He carved out time to visit grandparents. He was an animating force in our family, instigating games and group-messaging, inquiring into our daily lives and sharing his own. He lived with ma & pa for five months during early Covid days, and subsequently stayed with us for weeks at a time each year, becoming an active and expected part of our routine. A note to his parents a week before his death read, “I love you both so much. I also accept that we’re mortal. Though it will be one of the hardest things I ever do, I know someday I’ll have to let you go.”
Survived and deeply mourned and missed by: parents Glen and Barbara, sister Rachel and brother-in-law Sam Colleran; grandmothers Margaret Willis and Elisabeth (Els) Shelly; numerous aunts and uncles and cousins, and many dear friends.