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NICHOLAS IVERSEN Obituary

IVERSEN--Nicholas Drake, of Mt. Kisco NY, died on July 1 after defeating terminal lung cancer. Born on Christmas Day 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa, Nick was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, dog owner, and friend. He built a career doing what he loved--writing. He loved baseball, Hawaiian shirts, sunny afternoons in his hammock, making music with his friends, and being with his family. He loved every minute of his life and those who knew him loved every minute they spent with him.

Published by New York Times on Jul. 5, 2011.
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Anne I am so truly sorry to hear of Nick's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Wendy Foy

July 21, 2011

Anne, I'm so sorry to hear of this.

Susan Peirce

Susan Peirce

July 19, 2011

It's been said that it's not the size of the burden that matters, but how you carry it. Nick carried his particular burden the way he lived his every-day life, with grace, humor, courage, compassion, intelligence, wit and charm. So deep a spirit, so light a heart, Nick loved life, he just plain loved living. And then, of course, there's his wide-open heart. Hey friend, you've laid your worldly burden down. I'll miss you, I am grateful to have known you. May you always feel the sunshine on your face.

Elizabeth (Beth) Cheslak (Stanislaw)

July 16, 2011

Nick was and always will be an inspiration to all who knew him. I will miss his humor, talent and grace. In my last conversation with Nick a couple of weeks ago, he said, "I am so happy to be alive." God bless you Nick you will always be alive in our hearts!

Sharon Beadle

July 11, 2011

To his children, Patrick and Kristin, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I know how much you admired and adored your father.

You provided much comfort and happiness in your father's life - and he will always live on in your spirit.
Love, Carol

Carol Stark

July 11, 2011

of our group of columbia friends who still stay in touch, nick was the glue that held us together. nick was the best of us. he made me want to be a better person. he never talked trash about anyone. when you were with him he was honestly your best friend. whether playing dominoes at his apartment dubbed club domino in 1975 or going to cbgb to hear patti smith or blondie. or just talking. nick somehow made that day a special one we'd always remember. we all love you nick. but you knew that.

bob berger

July 10, 2011

Nick was a friend of mine in high school - and through the wild days of my life in New York in the early 70's. He let me sleep on the floor of his dorm room freshman year until I found an apartment and took me to a Doors concert for which he had close to front row 'press' seats. We were sweated on and spit on by Jim Morrison. Nick loved it- he was so full of enthusiasm and just loved music. I was so happy to have reconnected with Nick at our 40th reunion. His positive spirit and great love of life will always be so inspirational to me. He will be missed, but his presence will stay on with so many of us. Thank you, Nick.

Ariel Bock

July 8, 2011

The first time I heard "Werewolves of London" was in his car. He had amazing taste in comedy and music and an inspiring & uplifting outlook on the world that often made my day. He will be missed. My heart is with his family.

Zack Kahn

July 7, 2011

my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family....johnny-ray vega

johnny-ray vega

July 7, 2011

Nick had a gift for putting words to the thoughts and ideas of others, as well as his own. I appreciated his humor, maturity, strength, creativity, humanity, patience and persistence. I love the way Nick embraced life.I am among the many who will miss this very special person.

Ellen Glazerman/EY

July 7, 2011

The day I met Nick in September 1970, in our sophomore year of college, he was in his dormitory room, playing his guitar, the hair and the hope and the music all flowing loose and free.
Of the many letters we exchanged in the first few years after I returned to Oklahoma, the one I've pretty much lived with every day contained a short story he wrote, titled "Maya Memory." It was born on Nick's epic trip to Mexico a few months after graduation, when I took over Nick's room, which was the maid's quarters off the kitchen, in the rambling retro apartment on the Heights where several of us guys began to experience life.
The story is told from the top of a ruined Mayan temple, of a young traveler and an old native man, talking with each other about what it means to see life, in all its promise, from afar, and what it must become. It is perfectly set with sensuous detail of the jungle. Then, something happens: something is jettisoned from one of the ships; a murder. An old tragedy is re-enacted, which I have gradually understood, while the closing lines have always moved me: "Do not build your temples so high that you can see how God works his ways, only so high that you believe he does it." The old man slithers down the side of the pyramid, and the young man is left alone with his thoughts.
Sometime in the last year, I mentioned this story to Nick and how much I liked it. He seemed to have forgotten it, but curious. I sent him a copy.
I am sorry not to be with all of you today to remember Nick. I can say it isn't necessary to live in a world without him, because I have his story. He gave that to all of us.

Scott Gordon

July 7, 2011

Over the last several years we have had many wonderful times with Nick here when he was visiting the Ecklunds. Nick was my closest cousin, being only six months younger than me. Back when Rusty was at Bard, we had a most memorable Thanksgiving at Mt. Kisko. Just in the last few months he was my only reliable beta tester for new online courses we are developing at Dale Carnegie. His input was so valuable. Nan and I will really miss you, cousin. Anne, I'm sorry that we both burst into tears when you called us. We were just so shocked, we were no support to you at all. I don't remember if we even got out one coherent sentence between the two of us. We're still in a state of shock. Sending all our love from Minnesota.

Guy Drake

July 6, 2011

Nick was such an inspiration to all who knew him. My heartfelt condolences to the entire Iversen family.

Ingrid McGuire /EY

July 6, 2011

Nick, I did not have the pleasure of knowing you, but I have known Anne since she was a child. I know she loved you deeply, and she will miss her very best friend. I am also very impressed about what your son, Patrick had to say about his DAD. He too loves you. Go in peace, Nick, knowing you are well loved.

joan Baumet

July 6, 2011

Our deepest sympathies to Anne, and all of Nick's family and friends. Our hearts are heavy for you in this time of sorrow.
Love,

Leslie and Mark W.

July 6, 2011

Nick's brother Fritz and I visited NYC 30 years ago to see Nick start his family with Anne. I feel blessed that I got to share little bits of family life with him and to know that he wrote a portion of his book at the cabin in Alaska is really special...godspeed NIck and my heart felt sympathy to the whole family.

Love Annie

Anne Dollard

July 6, 2011

When I met Nick in September 1970, in our sophomore year of college, he was in his dormitory room, playing his guitar, the hair and the music all flowing loose and free.
Of the many letters we exchanged, especially in the first few years after I returned to Oklahoma, the one I've pretty much lived with every day is a short story he wrote, titled "Maya Memory." I think it was born on Nick's epic trip to Mexico, when I took over Nick's room, which was the maid's quarters off the kitchen in the rambling retro apartment on the Heights where several of us guys lived and began to experience post-college life.
The story is told from the top of a Mayan temple, of a young traveler and an old native man, talking with each other about what it means to perceive life, in all its promise, approaching from afar, and how it inevitably ends. It is perfectly set with sensuous details of the jungle. Then, something happens: something is jettisoned from one of the ships; an old tragedy is re-enacted, which I have gradually understood; still, the closing lines have always moved me: "Do not build your temples so high that you can see how God works his ways, only so high that you believe he does it." In the last year, we talked about this story. He had apparently forgotten it. I sent him a copy. I don't know what he thought about it, but he seemed grateful and curious to receive it.
I am sorry not to be with all of you tomorrow, but I can say it isn't necessary to live in a world without Nick, because what he brought us will never go away.

Scott Gordon

July 6, 2011

Big Nick was a great man. He raised one of my oldest and best friends in the world who became nothing short of a brother to me. That, in itself, means a lot. My condolences go out to the entire Iversen family. Rest in peace.

Kirtan Desai

July 6, 2011

If a man can be measured by his grace and courage in the face of adversity, then Nick was a giant. I will always remember him for his boundless optimism, cheerfulness and love of life. My sincere condolences go out to Nick's family and many friends. I was blessed to have known him.

Hank Kohout

July 6, 2011

Nick was a great writer and an even greater human being. The way he faced his cancer taught all of us who knew him how to face life: head up, best foot forward. I will miss his spirit.

Deborah Holmes

July 6, 2011

Nick was a kind, generous and talented person whom I first got to know when I was fortunate enough to hire him at IBM. With shared interests in family, sports, literature and music we became fast friends, often talking for hours on end. When times got tough and tense Nick was always someone I turned to for a new perspective; I tried to do the same for him. Nick absolutely loved the people at EY, from which he had come to IBM, and he was delighted to return to them after leaving IBM. Despite his illness, over the years I shared many of my own challenges with Nick and he was a great help to me. At first I didn't think what I had to say was worth sharing considering everything he was going through, but he said, "Give it to me. All of it." What a guy. I am heartbroken at this loss and want to express my sincere condolences to Patrick, Kristin and Ann. Nick was one of a kind, and I feel privileged to have shared some of his journey with you all.

Rod Thorn

July 6, 2011

I'm sure I'll find someone to discuss Bob Dylan and Hunter Thompson with, but I doubt I'll ever enjoy it as much. You brought life wherever you stepped, Nick. I'm a richer man for our friendship.

Bruce Campbell

July 6, 2011

I worked with Nick at Ernst & Young when we were in NYC. He always had a smile on his face and was always a pleasure to be around. We'll miss you Nick.

Katie Kuble

July 6, 2011

Nick and I were on the swim team and tennis teams at Nottingham High School; he then followed me to college at Columbia, where we reconnected in a more mature way. And in less mature ways! And where he first met Ann, through KC and sis on a freshman dorm floor I RA'd.

We stayed in touch a bit, then reconnected much more deeply in the past five years; Nick grew enormously through his fight with cancer. He became more mellow, self-aware, and I think much more deeply appreciative of the friendship of humanity. He taught me a lot in these last years.

It has always been a privilege to know him; a talented writer, always ready with a wry quip, knew a little something about everything. Nick had one of the greatest smiles and impish laughs going.

He will be sadly missed by many, certainly including me.

Charlie Green

July 6, 2011

I worked with Nick at Ernst & Young - he was a great spirit, an inspiring man in his battle with cancer and just a great person to work with and to have known. We will all carry his wonderous words and views within us. I am so sorry for your loss, which is a loss for all.

Wendy Hirschberg

July 6, 2011

It was wonderful to know you, Nick. May your family find solace in the number of people whose lives you touched for the better.

Eric W

July 6, 2011

My father was such a wonderful man. He raised two fantastic children, my sister only slightly edging me. I can't thank him enough for all of the love and kindness he brought to the world and how lucky I am to be say, yeah, that was my dad.
-Patrick Iversen

Patrick Iversen

July 5, 2011

Nick, what can I say?   Whenever I feel like crap, I find one of your emails and I am inspired.  You brightened so many of my days when I was at EY, and when I left.  I will miss you dearly.  I hope to meet you on the other side, playing on your angel league softball team.

Chris Bacon

July 5, 2011

Nick Iversen - what will we do without you?!? Such a generous, kind, loving, yet fierce spirit... Such a tremendously talented writer, musician, artist... Such a great softball team coach, pitcher, and home-run hitter... Such a great dad and granddad... Such a supportive friend, mentor, colleague... Such an enormous loss to the world. I am lucky and honored to have been your friend. You got me through years at EY, supported me in every way, and I am lucky. You are missed, dear friend. Missed terribly. Peace to your family.

Heather Lutkin

July 5, 2011

A giant heart, a great friend, a devastating loss. Somehow I see Nick on the mound in the middle of a field of dreams, surrounded by the best there ever was. The Big Lefty let's one fly, striking out Shoeless Joe looking. The place goes wild! We love you, Nick. We miss you. Our condolences go out to the family of this wonderful brave & caring man.

Chris Lutkin

July 5, 2011

Nick and I were on our company's NYC co-ed softball team for several years, Nick managing our team's final few years. He was a manager's manager and his good-natured, fightin' spirit was a big part of the team's spirit. Regardless of whether they had even attended, team members savored his write-ups after each week's game, which was imbued with more wit, insight, and dramatic sensibility than any sports column I read these days. And, Nick could blast a softball like he used Thor's Hammer, and was often placed in a cleanup or "heart" position in the batting order by our other managers seeking to put his power to use. But when he managed and set the batting order, he always put himself towards the bottom of the lineup, usually breaking up a string of weaker hitters. That illustrated so much to me about Nick, and I enjoyed getting to know him better at work in the years afterwards.

In loving remembrance always...

Peter Khoo

July 5, 2011

I roomed with Nick in college and we stayed in touch off and on over the years, but unfortunately not recently. I am very saddened by this, and good memories of him have been flooding back all day. My condolences to the family.

Lou Erlanger

July 5, 2011

The Eklund family will miss you Nick. You were always a favorite. Your smile and sense of humor will be with us always. Its a sad day for all.

Steve Eklund

July 5, 2011

It was a great privilege to reconnect with Nick in the last few years. His youthful spirit always came through to me in his writing. My condolences to the family.

Annette Kawecki

July 5, 2011

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