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DEARBORN, Ill -- Nathaniel R. "Nate" Trask, 33, of Dearborn, Ill., died Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, after a courageous fight with melanoma cancer.
He was born to Robert and Margaret Trask on Feb. 22, 1976, in Newburyport, Mass. On Dec. 18, 1999,
Nate married Deborah R. Cremer in Willow Creek Church, Barrington, Ill.
Nate attended the McCook schools and graduated from McCook High School in 1994, where he lettered in basketball and helped lead his team to the Nebraska State Basketball Tournament two consecutive years. Nate received his Bachelor of Science degree from Wheaton College, a degree in mechanical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a Master's from University of Michigan.
He worked as a research engineer for Ford Motor Company for nearly 10 years. While there, Nate and his fellow engineers were recognized for receiving several patents in advanced engine technologies.
Nate was a passionate member of the Genesis Church in Royal Oak. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. As a member of the DCSCC and AROC car clubs, he enjoyed racing his 1994 Mazda Miata in autocross races and was a top performer in his class. Along with some of his fellow engineers, Nate was the drummer in the "Inline5" band. He played recreational softball and participated in several area triathlons and road races.
Most of all, he loved being with his wife, Deb, and their two children, Morgan and Landon. As a family, they enjoyed playing video games, reading stories, singing songs and drawing pictures. He was a generous, kind and caring person. In the midst of his illness, Nate shared his faith through his blog, "Nate's Road to Recovery."
Nate is survived by his wife, Deborah Trask; his two children, Morgan and Landon Trask; his parents, the Rev. Robert and Margaret Trask of Fort Gratiot, Mich.; his grandmother, Hazel Trask of Annapolis, M.D.; his grandparents, Charles and Margaret Schoenherr of Wheaton, Ill.; his siblings, Margaret "Meg" Trask of Chicago, Ill., Charles (Melissa) Trask of Charlotte, N.C., Emily Trask of Fort Gratiot, and Stephen Trask of Wheaton, Ill.; his father-in-law, Cal Cremer of Muskegon, Mich.; his mother-in-law, Marge (Jim) Bogdalek of Naperville, Ill.; and two brothers-in-law, John (Sally) and Ben (Nancy) Cremer.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert P. Trask Jr.
The funeral service was Saturday in Christ Episcopal Church, 120 N. Military in Dearborn. Burial will follow in Parkview Cemetery in Livonia.
Contributions may be made in Nate's memory to Genesis Church or Melanoma Research Foundation.
To send condolences, please visit www.natesroadtorecovery.blogspot.com
Smith Family Funeral Home of Port Huron, Mich., is in charge of arrangements.