Nathaniel JOHNSON

1992 - 2021

NATHANIEL JOHNSON December 18, 1992 - May 30, 2021 On May 30, 2021, Nathaniel Johnson, alongside his best friend Andrew Abel, lost his life in an avalanche while alpine climbing Mt. Andromeda in the Columbia Icefield between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Nathaniel Konrad Johnson was born December 18, 1992, to Theodore Johnson and Jeanette (nee Randall) Johnson of Red Deer, Alberta. He was the third of four children and sibling to Daniel (Laura, Kira), Jessica (Mustafa), and Rachel. Nathaniel was taught at home by his mother until high school, graduating from THEE Online in 2011. During that time, he participated in several activities including a variety of homeschool dramas that brought out his comedic talent. In 2003 Nathaniel discovered the sport of fencing, likening it to a physical chess match: 'You have to have fast feet, fast mind, and fast hands.' Over the course of his fencing career, Nathaniel would place in the top 16 on the National Canadian Fencing rankings in Epee, winning two Western Canadian championships and becoming a referee and coach at the Red Deer Fencing Club. As a teenager, Nathaniel worked on his uncle Joel Johnson's organic farm before becoming an automotive service technician with Subaru. This would become the start of a seven-year long career as a mechanic with Nathaniel obtaining his red seal designation through Red Deer College, becoming a Subaru FHI certified and master technician. In 2013, Nathaniel started dating his fiancé Hannah Sysak, the love of his life that he would later become engaged to on the top of a mountain in Peru. Over the years they would travel many parts of the world together including Iceland, Kauai, Bali, and New Zealand, as well as a month-long road trip to Alaska. Around the same time, Nathaniel started developing a love for the outdoors - specifically hiking and snowboarding - that soon progressed into more advanced levels of rock, alpine, and ice climbing. He later became a climbing instructor at Trailhead as well as a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol. In 2018, Nathaniel returned to Red Deer College to begin his Bachelor of Business Administration, becoming a founding member and President of Enactus RDC, a non-profit organization. Nathaniel would later proceed to attend MRU until his death. He was originally set to complete his studies in December and Mount Royal University will be awarding his degree posthumously. During the Summer of 2019, Nathaniel would embark on a four-month journey to more than 14 countries around the world including Italy, Greece, Turkey, Columbia, and Vietnam. One special highlight of his trip included climbing Chimborazo in Ecuador - the highest mountain on earth when measured from the Earth's centre rather than sea level. Nathaniel was many things but most importantly he was a beloved son, fiancé, brother, uncle, and friend. We'll miss his laugh, quick wit, calm demeanor, quiet love, constant encouragement, wild stories, and adventurous spirit, but most of all him. He went out doing what he loved; we only wish we could've said goodbye. A memorial for Nathaniel with close family and friends will be held in the mountains on Sunday, June 27.