Birth date: Mar 2, 1986 Death date: Mar 10, 2025
“Better to live one true life than a thousand lies. It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so deeply. There seemed to be two worlds” ~ David Jones, Love and Space Dust Austin Anthony Netelbeek beloved son, brother, Read Obituary
Austo, you've been a constant in my life as long as I can remember. It's rare for a friendship to have endured as long as ours. The impact you've had on my life runs deep and you are a foundational part of who I am and who I've become. Everywhere I go I hear your wisdom, smile at your quick wit and sarcasm, and tune in to the intrinsic beauty of my surroundings. You've taught me that even the seemingly drab, chaotic, painful, or frustrating that there is purity and beauty. You had an amazing ablity to meet people where they were and treated everyone with compassion and sincerity. I know you are at peace now, surfing that endless wave and slashing turns through the bottomless powder. I love you brother, rest easy.
Austin always seemed to have one foot in a mystical realm where love and compassion rule. He could be rambunctious, intense, even destructive. At times he was difficult to be around, and stubbornly so. Yet that is not what I saw. I saw in him a brother, like we’d known each other across lifetimes. Maybe he just had a quality that made people feel seen and understood, in spite of his challenges. I know he struggled with the weight and intensity of his mind. But that never truly prevented his heart from blanketing us with warmth and compassion. I imagine we all wish circumstances could be different, that he was able to find a greater peace here on earth. It was not to be. Yet when I reflect on him and feel the stirrings in my heart, I’m convinced his spirit has found peace. I love you brother, and I’ll miss you. Catch ya in the next life 🏝️️
Sweetest, most sensitive Austin. I can't seem to gather the right words here. Like trying to take a picture of the moon...it's impossible to really capture your true brilliance, beauty, and charm. I am beyond honored and grateful to have shared part of my life with you. You shared so much of your humanity with me, struggle and all. What lives on though is the amazing influence you had on me and the memories of your warmth. You opened my eyes to so much music, art, and poetry. You introduced me to personalities, cultures, and norms outside my own. You were accepting of so many people; everyone's ally. You were always stubbornly you, but somehow always had room for others. You gently nudged me outside my comfort zone and still allowed so much space for me to be myself, flaws and all. You made me laugh, think, and feel. I still quote you and some of our inside jokes in my daily vernacular. I already miss your voice, your mannerisms, and the way you tell stories. You were so caring, thoughtful, artistic, and curious. You navigated foreign countries with ease and giggled in the face of discomfort. The world is missing a compassionate spirit now. You brought so much good to so many lives while you were here, and I'm forever thankful for you. You are such a special soul, and I'll keep you in my heart forever.
Aloha oe Austin. We shared a moment in our lives together, but it's Austin's love for Hawaii's natural beauty from mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean) is what I'll cherish when thinking of him. I also send my deepest aloha to his ohana and friends.
As we mourn your loss
We want to celebrate your life
And the measure of its worth
And all the lives you touched
While you were here on earth.
It’s hard to say the last farewell.
While wishing you were here
But thank you for your friendship
And all the memories we’ll hold dear.
What a privilege it was to know you.
Not just colleagues we were friends,
We will carry you with in our hearts
Where your memory never ends
Your Sutter AIM Team
Rest In Paradise.
Austin, my dear friend. May your soul be at peace. I will treasure my memories of you - your compassion, your thoughtfulness, your full-hearted acceptance of all people, seeing their humanity no matter their background. Your stubbornness and bluntness, your sense of humor and fashion and art. Your sensitivity. Thank you for seeing the light in me and for sharing your light with me. I’m so deeply sad for your pain and now for the pain of all who loved you.
