Dear alumni, friends, students and faculty,

The landscape architecture community of Seattle and UW lost a rising star last week. Nathan Brightbill passed away suddenly last Thursday morning due to a heart attack. We were all deeply shocked and saddened by the news.

Nathan received his MLA from UW in 2007. He received a MS in Community Development from UC Davis prior to coming to UW. Upon graduation in 2007, he moved to Vancouver, BC and worked at PFS Studio and PWL Partnership. Nathan recently moved back to Seattle and worked at Swift Co. He has been instrumental in many innovative public projects, including the Underpass Park in Toronto.

Nathan is remembered by the faculty as one of our very best and brightest students — talented, hard-working, kind and generous. He will be sorely missed by everyone here at UW. As someone who has known Nathan and worked closely with him before and after he joined our program, I am especially taken aback by the news.

Nathan is survived by his wife Leah, two young sons Rylan and Levi, and countless family and friends.

Please see the link below for the memorial page where people can share photos, memories, and opportunities to help –
http://www.welovenathanbrightbill.com/

Also, a support fund has been started for the boys --
https://www.youcaring.com/leah-briney-548968

(Source: http://swiftcompany.com/people/nathan-brightbill/)

With deep sorrow and regret,
—Jeff Hou, PhD, ASLA

Professor & Chair of Landscape Architecture
Adjunct Professor of Urban Design & Planning
University of Washington
College of Built Environments