Celebration of Life gathering planned May 5th for Ian Mandt, 1993-2018

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

A Celebration of Life is planned May 5th for 24-year-old Ian Z. Mandt, who died last week. His family is sharing this remembrance:

Ian Zachary Mandt
First day on earth, April 2, 1993
First day in heaven, March 24, 2018

Ian Zachary Mandt of West Seattle died on March 24, 2018, just shy of his 25th birthday.

Ian stuffed a lifetime of experiences into a short span of time. He loved to dance and sing, was an active and locally well-known skateboarder, and an artist and passionate letterer. Ian was playful and lived with a joyful heart, especially in his work with children at the West Seattle/ Fauntleroy, and Meredith Matthews East Madison YMCAs. Kids looked up to Ian because he understood them and inspired them with his positive personality and unique world view. Ian was sensitive, open, and generous with his time and creative energy, with his trademark huge smile for all who knew him.

Ian attended Arbor Heights Elementary and Pathfinder schools in West Seattle and graduated from Nova High School. In addition to the YMCA, he had worked in various skate shops, Carhart, and also for the Seattle Mariners. In his work with children and adults alike Ian was known as a “millennial whisperer,” one who seamlessly connected his generation with those that came before him and after.

Ian leaves behind his beloved parents Jenny and Gordy Mandt of West Seattle; his grandmother Judy and stepgrandfather, Hugh Bishop of Marblehead, MA; his uncle Robert, aunt Bo, and children Ryder, Clara, and Robyn in Altadena, CA; aunt Kristi Mandt of Normandy Park, and Leanne and Ben Ng and children Ben and Nicole of Juneau; and uncle Bill Mandt and Kathleen of Tacoma. He also leaves his many loving cousins Rachel and Cadence Tillman of Portland, OR; Jim, Kat and Mimi Tillman of Seattle, and many more from around the country; extended family, and a huge circle of friends from his various adventures and endeavors. We all love you, Ian. Your memory will continue to light up our lives.

An open house celebration is planned for Saturday, May 5th, 3-7 pm at the Hall at Fauntleroy at 9131 California Ave SW. Gifts that support the work Ian most loved would be greatly appreciated. Please consider sending a gift in Ian’s memory to one of these non-profit organizations: Orion Center
www.youthcare.org, Vera Project www.theveraproject.org, or West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA www.seattleymca.org.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Buttercup March 31, 2018 (4:51 pm)

Your son, friend,sibling,sounds like an amazing young man. My prayers are with you and I’m sure he is looking down from heaven with loving arms to watch over you. Till you see him again, RIP Ian.

Alki resident March 31, 2018 (5:30 pm)

When this post says he had a “huge circle of friends “, they weren’t kidding. My son and so many kids I’ve watched grow up , knew and loved Ian. This is a huge loss for everyone and I’m so very sorry. Please pray for Ian’s family, they are hurting.

Seth Hunter Perkins March 31, 2018 (8:25 pm)

I knew Ian from the West Seattle Y’s childcare. Ian was outstanding with my kids and a wonderful / creative soul with whom to converse, a joyous spirit. I’m so sorry for his family and for us all in this unfortunate loss.

Kylene March 31, 2018 (11:42 pm)

My thoughts are with you Jenny and Gordon. I am so glad I had the opportunity to know Ian as a preschooler at Arbor Heights Coop Preschool. Hugs to you!

Kylene

Pamela rogers April 1, 2018 (12:34 am)

So sorry to hear about Ian. My thoughts are with you Jenny and Gordon.

Pam Rogers (Arbor Heights)

Bonnie April 1, 2018 (12:09 pm)

Jenny and Gordon, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Ian at the YMCA and he was such a nice person to work with. The last time I worked with him was a few weeks before his passing and we were reading a story to the kids. The story was Llama Llama Misses Mama. As usual we are interrupted often during storytime and started talking about missing Mama and Ian said ‘I miss my Mama every day.’ and went on to tell the children how much he loved his Mama. (which in turn got all the kids talking about loving their Mama) He had a kind heart and the children loved him. He will be missed by all.

Robin April 1, 2018 (12:32 pm)

My kids will miss him at the YMCA – he was always kind and fun who made every kid feel welcome. Sending you our love and condolences. -Graham Family

Lynn Schmuck April 1, 2018 (2:22 pm)

Jenny and Gordy, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have so many wonderful memories of Ian and his warm smiles. Preschool, Arbor heights elementary and Gordy coaching Ian and Kylee in basketball. Sending you lots of hugs❤️ The Schmuck Family

Nicole April 1, 2018 (5:03 pm)

We knew Ian from the YMCA childcare as well. He always engaged with the kids and played extra fun, active games with them. My kids always had fun with him. He will be greatly missed.

JP April 1, 2018 (7:08 pm)

I moved to New Mexico and heard about Ian’s passing through mutual friends. He was ten years younger than me, but I looked up to him. I’m not sure why he ever looked up to me as a skateboarder, he was far better than I ever was. Nevertheless, the impression he leaves upon me is that whenever I would see him he would always have his huge trademark smile, and a hand up in the air waiting for a high-five. Even if I had just seen him yesterday, or a few hours before, he would always do that, as if I hadn’t seen him in years.

Matt April 1, 2018 (8:38 pm)

Man, heartbreaking, sorry for your loss Gordy and Jenny. Ian was an amazing kid, always a great role model to the young skaters. Ran into him at the skate park not too long ago, he gave my son some tips and encouragement, my kid was stoked that I knew someone that could skate like that. Will miss him.

Adam Demmings April 2, 2018 (1:23 am)

I still can’t believe he is gone..I just saw him last week. He was such a good kid! He inspired to enjoy skateboarding! I’m sad for the loss…it was great to have known him.

Becky Rogers April 2, 2018 (4:48 pm)

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious family during this time of loss.

With deepest sympathy,

Becky Rogers

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED

Nancy Klatt April 3, 2018 (5:30 am)

So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family to be comforted and loved. What an amazing life he led just by reading the posts of those who knew him.

In Sympathy,

Nancy Klatt

Huntsville Coca-Cola

Allison Johnson April 3, 2018 (10:08 am)

Gordon,

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. As I read about Ian’s life I can tell that he was truly a wonderful child and person.

Sincerely,

Allison Johnson

Swire Coca-Cola, USA

Lori West April 3, 2018 (12:16 pm)

We are so sorry to hear of your heartbreaking loss. Please know that you are in our prayers during this difficult time. What a blessing Ian has been to so many people.

Our deepest sympathies,

Lori West

Gulf States Canners, Inc.

Ron Sullivan April 5, 2018 (4:22 pm)

Gordy & Jenny –

I am very stunned and deeply saddened to hear this news. I recall Ian’s bright eyes going back to the time he was a young kid, like in the picture above, and appreciated hearing about his life ever since. My heart, love, and empathy go out to you.

I am out of town on May 5th – so sorry to miss his celebration of life.

Ron