
How do you describe a person young in body, yet old in wisdom? This helps to portray Nathan Hertzog, a young man and a Steamboat Springs native. He attended the local schools, kindergarten through high school, and graduated in 1993. Nathan went on to Fort Lewis College where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies.
June 2019 marks the 20th year since Nathan’s death in a car accident while traveling to visit his father for Father’s Day.
Nathan’s interests were varied. He loved art and music and had great piano chops. The Grateful Dead and Phish made him dance and sing. When not studying or working, Nathan could be found hiking, camping, and exploring the wilderness areas and deserts. Nathan was a strong activist for social justice and the protection of the environment. While at Fort Lewis College, he traveled to Mexico to research the Zapatista movement and teach English and art to Tarahumara students in the Copper Canyon. His students were astounded by Nathan’s wild, curly hair, somehow a symbol of his free spirit.
In addition to being passionately involved in various causes, Nathan believed strongly in the importance of family and friends, who treasured his loyalty, sincerity, insight, and willingness to listen.
After Nathan’s untimely death the Nathan Robert Memorial Endowment was established at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation in Steamboat Springs, CO. These funds have been utilized to support causes and organizations that symbolize his passions for life. They include:
NATHAN ROBERT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: given annually for 10 years in conjunction with a scholarship fund at Fort Lewis College to a student majoring in environmental or Latin American Studies.
THE PEACE PROJECT: (People Engaging in Art, Consciousness, and Education) a 5-year, annual event facilitated by Chula Beauregard and the Steamboat Springs Art Council which enabled middle and high school students in the Yampa Valley to explore, through an art form, such topics as social justice, people of peace or environmental issues.
PINWHEELS FOR PEACE: an event organized by Nathan’s mentor, Johnny Walker, in which students investigated issues of peace, wrote them on pinwheels and exhibited them on the courthouse lawn.
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY: a local non-profit that promotes and supports the successful integration of immigrant and local community members through education, intercultural exchange, and collaboration to build a more united community where its members can communicate, participate and contribute.
BOOK TRAILS: a local non-profit that provides reading and writing enrichment programs to children through hands-on experiential education in the great outdoors.
YAMPA VALLEY SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL: a local non-profit that acts as a resource and catalyst for building a sustainable community through education, collaboration and programs such as renewable energy, recycling, green building, zero waste and more.
FRIENDS OF WILDERNESS: a local non-profit that assists the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in managing and protecting wilderness areas in the Routt National Forest and parts of the White River National Forest.
Thank you for your love, remembrance, and support of Nathan and his causes.
To donate to Nathan Hertzog Memorial Endowment by check:
Yampa Valley Community Foundation
348 Oak Street
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
* Please make the check out to YVCF and note the name of the Fund in the memo line.
This is a Donor Advised Fund of the Yampa Valley Community Foundation. Funds are being raised on behalf of rather than by the Foundation. Donations are irrevocable assets of the Foundation. Fund advisors make recommendations for where the funds will be distributed.