Adam Kahn Ochshorn

A memorial gathering to celebrate the life of Adam Kahn Ochshorn (10/02/1982 – 12/02/2015) was held on Saturday, December 12th in Portland, Oregon, where Adam had lived for the last eight years of his life. Organized by his loving girlfriend, Kelly Thomas, it was attended by hundreds of people whose lives Adam has touched. His former partner of 11 years, Christie Linden, has been providing a place for Adam's friends and family to gather at the home that they had shared in Portland – a spontaneous secular 'shiva' celebrating and mourning Adam. Many others have supported his family locally. An expert and exuberant climber (he was exuberant about everything he did), Adam went 'soloing' over the Thanksgiving weekend in the Cascades and did not return when expected. Experienced rescue teams, including helicopters, were unable to find him, and they gave up the search when they realized that he could not have survived. Adam, son of Amy Kahn and Peter Ochshorn, was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The family, including his big brothers Eric and Eli, moved to Niskayuna in 1985. He was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when he was five, and maybe that contributed to his drive to squeeze every bit of joy out of the life he had. Adam went through school here, collecting many friends along the way. He was predeceased by his beloved Grandma Rhoda, who delighted in hosting, and especially feeding, his early band, Oshe, when they were in the New York area. His enthusiasm and kindness permeated every family gathering, of which there were many. He is survived by his brothers, Eric and Eli (Karen Springsteen); nephews, Gray and Ben; paternal Grandma Priscilla Lates and maternal Grandad Alvin Kahn; uncles, Jon (Susan Schwartz) and Kurt (Carrie Stern) Ochshorn, and Joe, Asher (Sheri Katz), Aaron, and Dan Kahn; aunts Sarah (Rick Routhier), Miriam (Allan King), and Deborah (Mark Fischer) Kahn; and first cousins, Jonathan, Justine, Joanna, Zachary, Sam, Gideon, Rob, Jake, Laura, Natasha, Emma, Sonya, Jennie, Ellie, Alexandra, Julia, and Samantha. Two of Adam's passions were climbing and music, and a third was eating. Whatever Adam did, he did with gusto. His first mountain was Mt. Baker in Saranac, summitted in a backpack before the age of two with his parents, brothers, and dear family friends Ed Berkowitz and Emily Frank. He later introduced many friends and relatives to the joy of hiking, first in the Adirondacks and later in the Pacific northwest. Adam grew up surrounded by music – it was a common theme throughout his extended family. Some members favored free jazz while others favored Motown and show tunes. Adam played it all enthusiastically. He was taught by piano teacher Marilyn Taggert and drum teacher Joe Lamb. His music was shared, most recently, with his students. Having relocated to Portland with friends and band members, he earned a living as a music teacher -- and he totally enjoyed his students. Among the most touching parts of the gathering on Saturday were the tributes paid by students, some of whom performed the songs they had learned at his side. To quote one of them, "Remember the time me and Claire were in our pajamas during our lesson? You said that it would look strange if you wore your PJs to work. I said that you could say you came for the party. You smiled and did your one-in-a-million laugh. That laugh is a gift. It brings a smile to everyone who hears it's face. I loved how you always laughed it off when I made a mistake, you made me feel special. I will never forget how determined you were to see me succeed. And when you were doing a concert, how you felt the music in every limb of your body and played with your heart. I would give anything to see you perform again. I didn't get to see the side of you that loved to climb, but I'm sure you climbed with just as much passion as when you played the drums and piano. I will never forget you, Adam. Love, Tessa." We will keep that bright, indomitable spirit going as a part of us.