Madrik Isaak Pergin Heatherstone

1985 - 2022

Madrik Isaak Pergin Heatherstone

May 7, 1985 -

February 17, 2022

Madrik Isaak Pergin Heatherstone was born May 7, 1985, at his maternal Grandmother's home in Riverside, California in less than 2 hours. His Grandmother and mother dreamed his name Madrik, meaning "pathfinder". Maddi laughed more than he cried the first weeks of his life, and was named Isaak, for his joy.

Maddi grew up in Ashland, Oregon with his 4 brothers and dogs, exploring the surrounding mountains, creeks, rivers and lakes. His lifelong love of nature catalyzed.

He attended Briscoe Elementary and helped hand weed the playground on Saturdays, when a group of parents organized to ban the use of Round-Up. He attended the alternative "KGB" middle school that evolved into Willow Wind Community Learning Center in Ashland.

Maddi became a graceful and daring athlete in his teens, snowboarding Mount Ashland and hill skating the streets of town. He and his brothers boldly skated the steep hills, their mad skills and teenage courageousness kept them safe. He was instrumental in helping create the Ashland Skatepark, by speaking in front of the Ashland City Council and rotary clubs, advocating for the safety of getting Skaters off the streets. His eloquence and sincerity spurred the city to be one of the first to build a skatepark in Oregon. As the years progressed he helped build other skateparks in Southern Oregon, and was considered a mentor for younger skaters. His legendary style and accomplishment will not be forgotten.

Maddi enjoyed the family's yearly vacation to the Chetco River, where many of his friends would join the week long camping trips. His visits to Montana were cherished. He also loved the Oregon Country Fair, where his family and friends gathered annually to celebrate and play.

He was deeply connected to the earth and its inhabitants. He was an organic master gardener, cultivating vegetables, flowers, herbs and succulents. He crafted planters from scrap woods and gathered rocks to make beds.

He joined his brothers, sister-in-love and friends on visits to the Navajo-Hopi Dineh reservations in Arizona, delivering food and firewood to Big Mountain elders and families. His compassion and respect for all people grew.

As an adult he learned carpentry and helped construct many homes and businesses around the Rogue Valley. His coworkers described him as a gazelle, deftly framing and building roofs and they trusted him in all work situations to excel and be safe.

Maddi's circle of friends grew and formed lovely mandalas of interconnections between people. His past beloved companions remain friends.

His Black and Tan hound dog Huckleberry was his constant companion for over 13 years. Many stories of their life together live on.

On February 17, 2022, a beautiful sunny morning, returning from a motorcycle ride to the mountain lakes he loved, Maddi was killed instantly by a motorist making an illegal U-turn on Highway 66 at mile post 2.5 in Ashland.

We remember Maddi's beautiful smile and laugh, his energetic athletic grace, his caring, sensitive and open personality, his keen perceptions and wit, his love for the planet and its inhabitants, and we are eternally grateful he was in our lives. You are forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his parents, Deborah Pergin Heatherstone and Phil Clark, John and Kristi Heatherstone, his brothers, and their companions; Lucian Heatherstone and Rachel Campbell, Tzaddi Heatherstone and Karen Sachitano, Taj Heatherstone, Kiyallah and Erin Heatherstone and his nephew Corbin Heatherstone. Also his many friends and lovers, and his old dog Huckleberry.

A Celebration of Life and Thankfulness for Madrik is planned on May 7th, 2022 in Talent, Oregon. Please contact family and friends for details.