Evan Hazen Kimble

1966 - 2016

Evan Hazen Kimble

December 30, 1966 - January 29, 2016

Evan Hazen Kimble passed away from complications of pneumonia on January 29 in Seattle. He was surrounded by a loving circle of family and friends.

Born in Eugene, Oregon to Daniel Porter Kimble and Reeva Jacobson Kimble, Evan spent his childhood alongside his older brother Matthew and younger sister Sara. A deep love of nature and family, close friendships, a talent for music and creative exploration, and a spirit of adventure, mystery and faith informed his life from the beginning. He celebrated his bar mitzvah at Temple Beth Israel and later graduated from South Eugene High School in 1985 while the family was living in Oxford, England. He attended Brown University (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1989) where he majored in East Asian Studies, and made trips to China and Taiwan. After graduation he settled in Seattle where, in 1992, he met Lael Till Weissman, the love of his life, his wife, his musical partner, and the mother of their beloved children Declan and Susanna.

Evan's musical talents blossomed in childhood when he learned to play piano and to sing. Over time he learned new instruments, wrote song lyrics, and composed music. He led several Seattle-based bands beginning with the Prime Wierdz, then Dr. Spanky's Weatherbed, and ultimately Grasshopper, which released four CDs. More recently he was an esteemed participant in the community of fans dedicated to the band The String Cheese Incident, authoring detailed performance reviews online.

As a highly-regarded therapist (M.A. in Psychology, Antioch University, 2006), Evan thrived on, in his own words, "joining the scientific, the spiritual, and the down-to-earth," as he talked with others "about what really matters to them." He believed each of us is a "unique and valuable person with deep reserves of strength and creativity." He was certain that "each one of us contains natural and powerful abilities to be loving, compassionate, and healthy. Each one of us can be confident, balanced and wise. We can heal trauma, make effective choices, and renew our relationships with ourselves, humanity and nature." These same beliefs illuminated his connections with family and friends, with neighbors and communities where he volunteered. He gave joy, optimism, music, poetry and wise counsel. The way he lived his life created an infinite web of light, connecting all of us who loved him and were loved by him.

Evan is survived by his wife Lael Kimble and their children Declan and Susanna; his parents Daniel and Reeva Kimble; his brother Matthew Kimble, sister-in-law Mary Taylor, and their daughter Elanor; his sister Sara Kimble, brother-in-law Lars Peterson and their children Ingrid and Leora; and an extensive circle of family, friends and colleagues who mourn Evan's too-early passing, and celebrate knowing that he lived every moment of his life to the fullest. His memory is a blessing. We love you, Evan.

For information about a memorial celebration to be held in late March, or about a memorial fund in support of Evan's children, please contact laelkimble@gmail.com.