Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Nate's Obituary


Nathaniel R. “NateTrask, 33 of Dearborn, died at home Sunday, August 30, 2009 after a courageous fight with melanoma cancer. He was born to Robert and Margaret Trask on February 22, 1976 in Newburyport, MA. On Dec. 18, 1999, Nate married Deborah R. Cremer in Willow Creek Church, Barrington, IL.

Nate attended the McCook, Nebraska schools, and graduated from McCook High School in 1994 where he lettered in basketball and helped lead his team to the Nebraska State Basketball Tournament two consecutive years. Nate received his BS degree from Wheaton College, a degree in mechanical engineering from Illinois Instutute of Technology, and a Master's from University of Michigan. He worked as a research engineer for Ford Motor Co. for nearly 10 years. While there, Nate and his fellow engineers were recognized for receiving several patents in advanced engine technologies.

Nate was a passionate member of the Genesis Church in Royal Oak. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. As a member of the DCSCC and AROC car clubs, he enjoyed racing his 1994 Mazda Miata in autocross races and was a top performer in his class. Along with some of his fellow engineers, Nate was the drummer in the “Inline5” band. He played recreational softball and participated in several area triathlons and road races.

Most of all, he loved being with his wife, Deb, and their two children, Morgan and Landon. As a family, they enjoyed playing video games, reading stories, singing songs, and drawing pictures. He was a generous, kind, and caring person. In the midst of his illness, Nate shared his faith through his blog, “Nate’s Road to Recovery.”

Nate is survived by his wife, Deborah Trask; his two children, Morgan and Landon Trask; his parents, The Rev. Robert and Margaret Trask of Fort Gratiot, MI; his grandmother, Hazel Trask of Annapolis, MD; his grandparents, Charles and Margaret Schoenherr of Wheaton, IL; his siblings, Margaret “Meg” Trask of Chicago, IL, Charles (Melissa) Trask of Charlotte, NC, Emily Trask of Fort Gratiot, and Stephen Trask of Wheaton, IL; his father-in-law, Cal Cremer of Muskegon, MI; his mother-in-law, Marge (Jim) Bogdalek of Naperville, IL; and two brothers-in-law, John (Sally) and Ben (Nancy) Cremer. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert P. Trask Jr. of

Visitation will be on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, 7707 Middlebelt Rd., Westland, MI. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Christ Episcopal Church, 120 N. Military, Dearborn preceded by one hour of visitation. Burial will follow in Parkview Cemetery in Livonia.

Contributions may be made in Nate’s memory to Genesis Church or Melanoma Research Foundation. To send condolences, please visit www.natesroadtorecovery.blogspot.com


26 comments:

Tina Korpieski_Ohio said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. I know right now it can be very difficult to see but the Lord has compassion on you, He knows your every need. He cares for you and desires to be the Rock you cling to. May you feel his love and presense.

tina@colesfoundation.com

C.O.L.E (caring openly,loving eternally) Prayer Team www.colesfoundation.com

(Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)

Anonymous said...

Dear Deb and Family,

We have walked on this journey with you since first learning of Nate's illness. We were vigil in praying that God's will be done in healing Nate and now that God's strength uphold you during this sorrowful time.

God be with you.

Larry and Arlene Burke

Unknown said...

Please accept my deepest condolences and sorrow. I did work with Nate at Ford Research and he was the most talented and pleasant person to be with. His memory will be with me forever. I do wish his family patience for time heals the sorrow and preserves the good memories.

With deepest sympathy,

Mohammad. Haghgooie

Anonymous said...

Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless.

C.O.L.E.(Caring Openly, Loving Eternally) Prayer Team
www.colesfoundation.com

Kelly Bollinger, PA

shannon, mom, wife, blogger said...

Deb and family,
I don't know what to say other than we are praying for you. Please know that you are being lifted up by so many.
May you feel the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ with you today and everyday.
Shannon

Anonymous said...

Dear Deb and family,

My sincerest condolences. Nate was a unique soul, of the highest character and integrity, but still fun loving, forgiving and open minded. It was great fun to play in the band with him, but more so, a great honor to have known him. The way Nate conducted himself throughout his battle with cancer and living positively, and with joy, until the end was a lesson in courage. Nate was an inspiration I will not forget.


God Bless,

Eric Curtis (Inline5)

Colleen and Scott said...

Deb, I have connected with some Timothy Christian junior high friends through facebook, and through them have been watching and praying for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are still with you.

Colleen (Evenhouse) Platt

Anonymous said...

My deepest sympathy go out to you, Deb, and your two children. May you find some comfort that Nate is always with you in spirit and is watching over all of you from heaven--guiding and protecting you with God.
My Dad died when I was young-the best gift I received was a journal from my mom so I could write down memories of my Dad so I would never forget "the little things".
Best wishes and God Bless~

Anonymous said...

I have been keeping up with Nate's journey for a few months now and wanted to let you know how deeply saddened I am at the loss of the father and husband that was loved so dearly by all.

We unfortunately got our own news today that my good friend's son, Osteosarcoma patient, will too lose his battle soon.

Words can not express how I feel for you and your children. i lost my mother to Pancreatic/Liver cancer 5 yrs ago and miss her every day.

Keep your faith and love those children!

Barbara said...

I send condolences on behalf of all of Barbara Sarnacki's family. We are thinking of all of you, and praying that you find strength and peace. Nate was so well-loved by so many, and his life made a difference. These are the things that matter in the end. God bless. Stu and Barbara Lynn Jones and family

Anonymous said...

Please accept our deepest condolences. I didn't know him well. I knew Nate through his passion of autocross competition; he served with me on the leadership board of the Detroit Council of Sports Car Club. He was articulate, well reasoned, and a leader.

The messages of faith and of His love are awesome. Please be comforted that you are lifted up in the prayer by many.


Al Chan

Anonymous said...

Dear Deb and family

My deepest sympathy to all of you. Nate's courage, faith, and positive outlook on life was an exceptional and inspirational example for all of us to follow. I feel so blessed and honored to have known him and to have made friendships with all of you through him. I feel so priveleged to have been able to work, invent, make music, autocross, run, and enjoy baseball with him, I will always cherish the many fun memories with you and him.

God Bless,

Tom Megli

Jennifer said...

Dear Deb and Trask Family,
I visited the funeral home last night to pay respects to Nate...what a courageous man!

Although I felt sad as I left, I couldn't help but feel peaceful and happy. The atomsphere in the room just oozed of the love you all have for Nate and one another. Every picture, drawing, video and momento just left off an overwhelming sense of love, pride, joy and respect. There was no doubt in my mind when I left, that the time all of you have shared with Nate and each was fun and wonderful. What a truly awesome family!

I didn't speak to all of Nate's siblings. It was busy and I thought it was important to let you speak with close family and friends being I don't know you all personally. However, you are in my thoughts and prayers. It is reassuring to know Nate is no longer suffering and in God's arms, but I can't imagine the loss all of you are feeling to have lost a brother when all of you appear to be so very close.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your journey with all of us. Your faith in God, love and strength is truly contagious and great. I will keep you in my prayers.

Jennifer Lee
(member of Grace Episcopal Church)

Anonymous said...

Dear Deb, Morgan and Landon,

beyond the world as we know it, there is a place where we all meet again.

With sympathy and love at this difficult time, you will be in our prayers.

Birgit, Peter and Nia

sryser said...

We are so sorry to hear of Nate's passing.Sympathy, love, thoughts and prayers are sent to you from the Randy Ryser Family...God Bless.

Michelle said...

Deb,

We very much wanted to be there to show you our love this weekend. Please know you are all in our prayers and in our hearts!!

Greg and Michelle Zonca

Anonymous said...

Although I didn't know Nate very well, I feel deeply connected to him. We both are the same age with kids of similar ages, and we both received cancer diagnoses around the same time. Nate helped me face the reality of my illness. He taught me to never take one moment for granted. His love, strength, and charisma even in the midst of battle, left an indelible impression on my heart.

It was with a very heavy heart that I had to say good bye to Nate today. Clearly Nate touched countless others like the way he touched me.

I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the Trask family. Nate will always be remembered in our hearts.

Genevieve Sparby

Anonymous said...

Deb, the services were a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. You have a loving family and friends surrounding you. That is such a blessing. You will remain in our prayers. Love, Joy and Casey Stengel

Anonymous said...

Deb and Family - I am not sure what to say...you have been in my prayers and I know this is a tough time...it doesn't make any sense to me why God would take Nate home so early...he wil be missed. I will continue to pray for you. Wish there was more I could do...

Love, Charles
(Chuck in Sarasota)

Anonymous said...

Dear Deb,

Our prayers are with you, Landon and Morgan. Nate was our best example the type of person, Christian, friend, engineer we could all aspire to be. We all miss him terribly but know in our hearts, if we are blessed enough to get to God's heaven, that Nate will be there waiting. Please let us know if you are in need of anything.

Bob, Sue & Jenni

Unknown said...

Hi Deb, Morgan and Landon:

I am really sorry for your tremendous loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Susan

Anonymous said...

It has been a month today. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Sarah Newlon Pearson

Anonymous said...

Deb, I am a friend of Nate's grandmother, Hazel Trask. I have followed Nate's blog and have admired your beautiful family and the courage that you have displayed in the face of such adversity. You all have set an example that will strengthen others when they find themselves in similar situations.I just want you to know that people that you don't even know continue to pray for you. I wish you and your children love and strength in the year ahead.

Anonymous said...

As a nurse that took care of Nate at karmanos I am very saddened to find out today of his death. I must say that Deb, Nate and their family have all been a great inspiration to me. Nate's optimist and bright spirit is a confirmation to me that once again my patients are my heroes. He fought with everything he had and challenged every treatment and exhausted all of his options, always with great joy and warmth. He will be greatly missed and he will be always remembered.

Love,
Tania Caballero
Primary nurse at Karmanos

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Chris said...

Over 10 years buddy. We all remember. We all miss you. To this day I pray for the answer as to why God did not bless you with a miracle and save you. Why Lazarus and not you? Your life was an inspiration to us all, and we wish you were here.