Nathan Daniel Ward died unexpectedly on October 23, 2018.
Nathan was a victim of depression, which ultimately took his life. He was loved by so many and he was fighting the fight, with all the love and support from family as well as mental health professionals and especially his finance Rachel. Despite all the best efforts from those who cared, it was not enough.
An uncle of Nathan's, who also suffers from depression described it as being put inside a metal drum with someone pounding and pounding and pounding on the drum. The noise is deafening, blocking out all thoughts, with the inevitable persistent question: How can I make it stop? This analogy is especially insightful for Nathan because sound was his craft, his passion. The experience a condition, yes a disease that blocks out the one thing that you love to do most, to the extent that you have lost all hope of ever recovering, ever again, is a fate worse than death.
An amazing musician, Nathan performed vocally , and played the cello and piano. His love of opera began when he performed the lead role in Les Miserables as Jean Valjean as a senior at Lee's Summit High School. He went on to get a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Missouri at Columbia.
Achieving the status of Eagle Scout, Nathan also shone brightly as Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 391 at Our Lady of Presentation Church in Lee's Summit. Nathan lived the Scout Oath of being trustworthy, loyal, courteous, kind, brave, clean and reverent.
Nathan also had been a competitive swimmer. He wrote the following paragraphs about his passion for swimming and how it turned into his passion for music.
"I am reaching the wall. Not many are close behind, but still my body aches as I pull and kick with all my might. My entire being wills itself "Faster!" as tension fills my body and my thoughts. " I've got to make it....don't breathe!" Finally the hand touches and the head comes up.
Deafening cheers pound my ears, overpower the gasping lungs, and lighten the searing pain. The beloved, loathsome water wells up and pats my back as I turn. On the clock impassive lights illuminate my time. They seem objective about the numbers they7 form but not I. Next to my land number they glow: "4:58:02".
I blank. No words, no thoughts come to mind because all the pain, fears and worries transform. They exist now as a simple emotion and it grows and grows, revitalizing my arms, my legs, my mind. Effortlessly, my fist flies in the air and the crowd roars in agreement. Looking to the stands, I instantly find her. My eyes lock with my mom's and the emotion is share and multiplied, filling me past capacity. Pride.
I am no longer a swimmer. I quit year round to persue music and quit high school swimming to try out for our musical Les Miserables. In just over a month, just before our first show, I'll have Jean Valjean's number, 24601, painted across my chest. So, this accomplishment, breaking 5 minutes in the 500 yard freestyle, has no concrete evidence of its effect. Although to me and my peers this was a huge accomplishment, in some ways that matters little. Its effects are practically non-existent, unless you look at what I have learned.
In order to physically have the ability to reach that time, I had to work incredibly hard from the moment our first practice started to the end of that race months later. For some, swimming is a talent; for me it's earned. I endured, and focused from two to four hours a day for months. All that pain is overrun by my pride, which leads me to the most important lesson I have learned.
It is always worth it. The work one put into something is given back ten fold. In biology it is call a positive feedback system; that is part of our world. For example: When a musician works to master his craft, several things happen. He inspires young ones to follow his path and work towards a similiar goal. He discovers the infinite capacity within music. Also he understands the motivations of the composer and with his knowledge and artistry he moves each audience to self-awareness, reflection, love or whatever is intended. Upon later reflection, I realized that this experience brought about my motivation in life. I work to teach those born after me the importance of their own work, the proof of their efforts resound in the voices of all of those who come after them."
To mourn his loss, Nathan leaves his parent, Daniel and Leslie (Pruitt) Ward of Lee's Summit, Mo., as well as a brother Nicholas (Krista) Ward and fiancee Rachel S. AuBuchon. He also is survived by his two grandmothers Dolores (Dee) Ward and Helen Pruitt as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers the family had requested donations to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
Nathan was a victim of depression, which ultimately took his life. He was loved by so many and he was fighting the fight, with all the love and support from family as well as mental health professionals and especially his finance Rachel. Despite all the best efforts from those who cared, it was not enough.
An uncle of Nathan's, who also suffers from depression described it as being put inside a metal drum with someone pounding and pounding and pounding on the drum. The noise is deafening, blocking out all thoughts, with the inevitable persistent question: How can I make it stop? This analogy is especially insightful for Nathan because sound was his craft, his passion. The experience a condition, yes a disease that blocks out the one thing that you love to do most, to the extent that you have lost all hope of ever recovering, ever again, is a fate worse than death.
An amazing musician, Nathan performed vocally , and played the cello and piano. His love of opera began when he performed the lead role in Les Miserables as Jean Valjean as a senior at Lee's Summit High School. He went on to get a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Missouri at Columbia.
Achieving the status of Eagle Scout, Nathan also shone brightly as Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 391 at Our Lady of Presentation Church in Lee's Summit. Nathan lived the Scout Oath of being trustworthy, loyal, courteous, kind, brave, clean and reverent.
Nathan also had been a competitive swimmer. He wrote the following paragraphs about his passion for swimming and how it turned into his passion for music.
"I am reaching the wall. Not many are close behind, but still my body aches as I pull and kick with all my might. My entire being wills itself "Faster!" as tension fills my body and my thoughts. " I've got to make it....don't breathe!" Finally the hand touches and the head comes up.
Deafening cheers pound my ears, overpower the gasping lungs, and lighten the searing pain. The beloved, loathsome water wells up and pats my back as I turn. On the clock impassive lights illuminate my time. They seem objective about the numbers they7 form but not I. Next to my land number they glow: "4:58:02".
I blank. No words, no thoughts come to mind because all the pain, fears and worries transform. They exist now as a simple emotion and it grows and grows, revitalizing my arms, my legs, my mind. Effortlessly, my fist flies in the air and the crowd roars in agreement. Looking to the stands, I instantly find her. My eyes lock with my mom's and the emotion is share and multiplied, filling me past capacity. Pride.
I am no longer a swimmer. I quit year round to persue music and quit high school swimming to try out for our musical Les Miserables. In just over a month, just before our first show, I'll have Jean Valjean's number, 24601, painted across my chest. So, this accomplishment, breaking 5 minutes in the 500 yard freestyle, has no concrete evidence of its effect. Although to me and my peers this was a huge accomplishment, in some ways that matters little. Its effects are practically non-existent, unless you look at what I have learned.
In order to physically have the ability to reach that time, I had to work incredibly hard from the moment our first practice started to the end of that race months later. For some, swimming is a talent; for me it's earned. I endured, and focused from two to four hours a day for months. All that pain is overrun by my pride, which leads me to the most important lesson I have learned.
It is always worth it. The work one put into something is given back ten fold. In biology it is call a positive feedback system; that is part of our world. For example: When a musician works to master his craft, several things happen. He inspires young ones to follow his path and work towards a similiar goal. He discovers the infinite capacity within music. Also he understands the motivations of the composer and with his knowledge and artistry he moves each audience to self-awareness, reflection, love or whatever is intended. Upon later reflection, I realized that this experience brought about my motivation in life. I work to teach those born after me the importance of their own work, the proof of their efforts resound in the voices of all of those who come after them."
To mourn his loss, Nathan leaves his parent, Daniel and Leslie (Pruitt) Ward of Lee's Summit, Mo., as well as a brother Nicholas (Krista) Ward and fiancee Rachel S. AuBuchon. He also is survived by his two grandmothers Dolores (Dee) Ward and Helen Pruitt as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers the family had requested donations to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
Nathan Daniel Ward died unexpectedly on October 23, 2018.
Nathan was a victim of depression, which ultimately took his life. He was loved by so many and he was fighting the fight, with all the love and support from family as well as mental health professionals and especially his finance Rachel. Despite all the best efforts from those who cared, it was not enough.
An uncle of Nathan's, who also suffers from depression described it as being put inside a metal drum with someone pounding and pounding and pounding on the drum. The noise is deafening, blocking out all thoughts, with the inevitable persistent question: How can I make it stop? This analogy is especially insightful for Nathan because sound was his craft, his passion. The experience a condition, yes a disease that blocks out the one thing that you love to do most, to the extent that you have lost all hope of ever recovering, ever again, is a fate worse than death.
An amazing musician, Nathan performed vocally , and played the cello and piano. His love of opera began when he performed the lead role in Les Miserables as Jean Valjean as a senior at Lee's Summit High School. He went on to get a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Missouri at Columbia.
Achieving the status of Eagle Scout, Nathan also shone brightly as Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 391 at Our Lady of Presentation Church in Lee's Summit. Nathan lived the Scout Oath of being trustworthy, loyal, courteous, kind, brave, clean and reverent.
Nathan also had been a competitive swimmer. He wrote the following paragraphs about his passion for swimming and how it turned into his passion for music.
"I am reaching the wall. Not many are close behind, but still my body aches as I pull and kick with all my might. My entire being wills itself "Faster!" as tension fills my body and my thoughts. " I've got to make it....don't breathe!" Finally the hand touches and the head comes up.
Deafening cheers pound my ears, overpower the gasping lungs, and lighten the searing pain. The beloved, loathsome water wells up and pats my back as I turn. On the clock impassive lights illuminate my time. They seem objective about the numbers they7 form but not I. Next to my land number they glow: "4:58:02".
I blank. No words, no thoughts come to mind because all the pain, fears and worries transform. They exist now as a simple emotion and it grows and grows, revitalizing my arms, my legs, my mind. Effortlessly, my fist flies in the air and the crowd roars in agreement. Looking to the stands, I instantly find her. My eyes lock with my mom's and the emotion is share and multiplied, filling me past capacity. Pride.
I am no longer a swimmer. I quit year round to persue music and quit high school swimming to try out for our musical Les Miserables. In just over a month, just before our first show, I'll have Jean Valjean's number, 24601, painted across my chest. So, this accomplishment, breaking 5 minutes in the 500 yard freestyle, has no concrete evidence of its effect. Although to me and my peers this was a huge accomplishment, in some ways that matters little. Its effects are practically non-existent, unless you look at what I have learned.
In order to physically have the ability to reach that time, I had to work incredibly hard from the moment our first practice started to the end of that race months later. For some, swimming is a talent; for me it's earned. I endured, and focused from two to four hours a day for months. All that pain is overrun by my pride, which leads me to the most important lesson I have learned.
It is always worth it. The work one put into something is given back ten fold. In biology it is call a positive feedback system; that is part of our world. For example: When a musician works to master his craft, several things happen. He inspires young ones to follow his path and work towards a similiar goal. He discovers the infinite capacity within music. Also he understands the motivations of the composer and with his knowledge and artistry he moves each audience to self-awareness, reflection, love or whatever is intended. Upon later reflection, I realized that this experience brought about my motivation in life. I work to teach those born after me the importance of their own work, the proof of their efforts resound in the voices of all of those who come after them."
To mourn his loss, Nathan leaves his parent, Daniel and Leslie (Pruitt) Ward of Lee's Summit, Mo., as well as a brother Nicholas (Krista) Ward and fiancee Rachel S. AuBuchon. He also is survived by his two grandmothers Dolores (Dee) Ward and Helen Pruitt as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers the family had requested donations to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
Nathan was a victim of depression, which ultimately took his life. He was loved by so many and he was fighting the fight, with all the love and support from family as well as mental health professionals and especially his finance Rachel. Despite all the best efforts from those who cared, it was not enough.
An uncle of Nathan's, who also suffers from depression described it as being put inside a metal drum with someone pounding and pounding and pounding on the drum. The noise is deafening, blocking out all thoughts, with the inevitable persistent question: How can I make it stop? This analogy is especially insightful for Nathan because sound was his craft, his passion. The experience a condition, yes a disease that blocks out the one thing that you love to do most, to the extent that you have lost all hope of ever recovering, ever again, is a fate worse than death.
An amazing musician, Nathan performed vocally , and played the cello and piano. His love of opera began when he performed the lead role in Les Miserables as Jean Valjean as a senior at Lee's Summit High School. He went on to get a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Missouri at Columbia.
Achieving the status of Eagle Scout, Nathan also shone brightly as Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 391 at Our Lady of Presentation Church in Lee's Summit. Nathan lived the Scout Oath of being trustworthy, loyal, courteous, kind, brave, clean and reverent.
Nathan also had been a competitive swimmer. He wrote the following paragraphs about his passion for swimming and how it turned into his passion for music.
"I am reaching the wall. Not many are close behind, but still my body aches as I pull and kick with all my might. My entire being wills itself "Faster!" as tension fills my body and my thoughts. " I've got to make it....don't breathe!" Finally the hand touches and the head comes up.
Deafening cheers pound my ears, overpower the gasping lungs, and lighten the searing pain. The beloved, loathsome water wells up and pats my back as I turn. On the clock impassive lights illuminate my time. They seem objective about the numbers they7 form but not I. Next to my land number they glow: "4:58:02".
I blank. No words, no thoughts come to mind because all the pain, fears and worries transform. They exist now as a simple emotion and it grows and grows, revitalizing my arms, my legs, my mind. Effortlessly, my fist flies in the air and the crowd roars in agreement. Looking to the stands, I instantly find her. My eyes lock with my mom's and the emotion is share and multiplied, filling me past capacity. Pride.
I am no longer a swimmer. I quit year round to persue music and quit high school swimming to try out for our musical Les Miserables. In just over a month, just before our first show, I'll have Jean Valjean's number, 24601, painted across my chest. So, this accomplishment, breaking 5 minutes in the 500 yard freestyle, has no concrete evidence of its effect. Although to me and my peers this was a huge accomplishment, in some ways that matters little. Its effects are practically non-existent, unless you look at what I have learned.
In order to physically have the ability to reach that time, I had to work incredibly hard from the moment our first practice started to the end of that race months later. For some, swimming is a talent; for me it's earned. I endured, and focused from two to four hours a day for months. All that pain is overrun by my pride, which leads me to the most important lesson I have learned.
It is always worth it. The work one put into something is given back ten fold. In biology it is call a positive feedback system; that is part of our world. For example: When a musician works to master his craft, several things happen. He inspires young ones to follow his path and work towards a similiar goal. He discovers the infinite capacity within music. Also he understands the motivations of the composer and with his knowledge and artistry he moves each audience to self-awareness, reflection, love or whatever is intended. Upon later reflection, I realized that this experience brought about my motivation in life. I work to teach those born after me the importance of their own work, the proof of their efforts resound in the voices of all of those who come after them."
To mourn his loss, Nathan leaves his parent, Daniel and Leslie (Pruitt) Ward of Lee's Summit, Mo., as well as a brother Nicholas (Krista) Ward and fiancee Rachel S. AuBuchon. He also is survived by his two grandmothers Dolores (Dee) Ward and Helen Pruitt as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers the family had requested donations to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
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