Alexander Nathan Gish

I like you just the way you are. "   Mr. Rogers

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.

Gallery

Memory wall

July 28, 2026

Alex, along with his mom and dad, lived with us for several months when he was a toddler, before they moved into their house in Ravenna. From that point on he was an integral part of our family.
After the birth of our youngest son, Max, Alex came to the hospital with his parents to see the baby— but disappointingly, the baby was asleep. “Well, he’s had a hard day,” Alex explained to his dad.
Whenever he came to our house for a visit he made a beeline to the bookcase where the Berenstain Bear and Curious George books were kept and happily ensconced himself in a nearby chair with a stack of books by his side.
Alex and our daughter, Kelsey, had a special, greeting for each other that never changed over their years of growing up— and Alex and my dad always greeted each other with a special fist bump handshake each time they met. I’m imagining Alex right now, in the next world, beaming as he says hello to Kelsey and flashing his mega-watt smile as he gives my dad a fist bump.

Barbara Bennett

July 27, 2026

The pictures of Alex are great! They capture him well. I will always remember the way Alex would come and greet our Book Club with a big smile and his video tapes in hand. He was always eager to show us which one's he was currently watch. He always seemed very happy to see us. I will miss that smiling face and his joyous spirit.

Francie Ringold

July 27, 2026

Alex, Liz and I visited the Orkney islands and the Scottish highlands in August 2022. We had a wonderful time, blessed by exceptional weather and Alex's happy smile and whole-hearted enjoyment of our various visits to churches, stone circles, ancient houses and beaches. Alex was a great travelling companion, always ready to get up and go - he and Liz were a wonderful team, always looking out for each other and bound together by their mutual love. Alex will live on in the hearts of the many people who felt the warmth of his smile during his happy life.

Rosemary McCreery

July 26, 2026

I worked with Alex for many years at the University YMCA in Seattle. Alex was completely his own person, and possessed an overflowing joy for the things and people he loved. He worked diligently on his exercises over the years, and exceeded my greatest expectations in terms of his physical progress. I especially enjoyed watching Alex light up whenever we talked about Mr. Rogers, the library or his very favorite person, his mother Liz.

Leah Jones

July 25, 2026

Alex was loved by all our staff. What stands out was he was very independent. He loved adulting and was eager to show he didn't want or need help. He is missed

Carol Salter

July 25, 2026

Alex and I shared the love of Mr. Rogers. Thinking of all who knew and loved him especially his mom Liz. Honored to have met him at Tavon. Rest in peace Prince Tuesday

Louise Widdows

July 25, 2026

I was a student and comrade of Alex's father at the University of Washington. Alex's stepbrother Adam was a teacher at Garfield, where my kids went to school (one of whom, Jesse, went on to also be a teacher at Garfield). I so admired how the family supported, encouraged and loved Alex--it's no wonder he was so cheerful and confident in the world. My condolences.

Amy Hagopian

July 23, 2026

Alex was always warm, full of joy and delight. His eyes twinkled when he shared his most recent videos, Mr. Rogers, in particular, and his library books. Forever, polite, forever young, he will be missed.

Susan Monas

Favorites

Service

Donate