Ariel Joel Lazier

Ari Lazier passed away unexpectedly on September 26, 2025 in San Francisco, where he lived. He was born in Norfolk, VA, to his loving parents, Jay and Nancy Lazier. He was forty-four years old. He was a brilliant and voraciously energetic man who lived those years with intention and passion.

Ari was schooled at the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and then at Ocean Lakes Magnet School, where he was valedictorian. He then attended Princeton University, where he cultivated interests in computer science, math, and music. After graduation, he worked at Microsoft and several software startups. There he helped invent some of the first apps used to create and share music, including Smule, Magic Piano, and I am T-Pain, tools used by millions to connect with one another in joy.

Over the last two decades, Ari also became an avid and accomplished outdoorsman. He lived to surf, ski, hike, and above all, climb with his friends, in some of the more challenging and beautiful venues around the world. To this end, he built a traveling home for himself with meticulous care. He was an artisan in the true sense of the word: a woodworker, mechanic, musician, and sculptor.

Ari's memory will be cherished by his parents and by his brother, sister, extended family and friends. He had enormous enthusiasm and the laugh to match, the kind that fills a room. He was deeply thoughtful and raucous in turn. He had a real charm and openness to people. He had a huge energy that enlivened those around him. He was a force of nature. And he is so, so dearly missed.

A graveside service will be held for Ari on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, VA. A memorial service will follow at Ohef Sholom Temple at 12:30 PM. Memorial donations may be made in Ari's name to the Access Fund (accessfund.org), a climbing advocacy group, or to Ohef Sholom Temple.