Alexander Nathan Gish

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.

Obituary

We lost a cherished member of our family and community when Alex Gish, 41, died in Seattle on June 30, 2026. Generous of spirit, unwaveringly polite and enthusiastic, Alex was a bright light for all of us. He will be greatly missed.

Alex was born on March 24, 1985, in Jakarta, Indonesia where his father worked as an economist for the UN’s World Health Organization. Alex’s first months were spent in and out of hospitals in both Indonesia and the United States because of a blood infection compounded by a developmental disability, later diagnosed as Noonan’s Syndrome. Evidencing the resiliency that was present throughout his too-short life, Alex survived and thrived despite his congenital muscle weakness and cognitive delays. He attended Seattle Public Schools--Wedgwood Elementary, Hamilton Middle, and Nathan Hale High School--and over the years since graduation participated in a variety of activities, including Seattle Parks Department Special Programs, Special Olympics with the “Eagles” teams, dance classes, Friendship Adventures, and Young Life Capernaum. He worked part-time at the UW Department of Rehabilitative Medicine’s Employment Training Center as a valued team member, and spent three happy, busy days a week at the Tavon Learning Center in Issaquah, where he was recognized for both his ever-present kindness to staff and peers, and his persistent, determined “no, thank you” when he didn’t want to do something. On his days off he enjoyed sleeping late, working with various personal trainers at the University YMCA, especially Leah, Cyle, and Jon, and watching his favorite DVDs and videos. He was so fond of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood that throughout his life he referred to his father as “King Friday”, his mother as “Queen Sarah” and himself as “Prince Tuesday”. Alex adored reading, especially books about Thomas the Tank Engine, Little Critter, Little Bear, Curious George, the Cat in the Hat, the Berenstain Bears and Elephant and Piggie. He relished weekly outings to public libraries throughout Seattle and King County.

Alex taught all around him the meaning of optimism. He was remarkably cheerful, greeting family and friends with his distinctive hello and asking them to pass along greetings to those not present. He loved to laugh, had an infectious smile, and was very good at making people happy, even those he just met. Alex’s persistence and authenticity impressed and inspired his neighbors who liked visiting with him as he walked by or waited for the bus. On occasion, he could be blunt but polite. For example, as a youngster when he thought it was time for visitors to leave, he sometimes brought them their coats while they were still at the dinner table. He lived fully in the moment and especially delighted in time with spent with his mother at home or on one of their many trips throughout the country and abroad.

Alex is predeceased by his grandparents, his father, Oscar Gish, and his uncle Tom Sims. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Sims, uncle John Sims, aunts, Trish Espedal and Pam Collins, cousin Joe Sims (Lauren Proteau), young cousins Sophia Sims and Elliott Proteau, stepbrother, Adam Gish, sister-in-law, Dorothee Vandewalle, niece, Zoe Gish, and nephew, Leo Gish.

Alex’s memorial gathering will be at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, on August 16 at 2:00 pm. Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the public library of your choice, celebrating Alex’s lifelong love of reading.

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