Nathan Thomas Rohrer

Nathan Thomas Rohrer

Sept. 5, 2007 – Aug. 3, 2021

Our sweet and beloved son, Nathan Thomas Rohrer, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the tender age of 13.

Nathan was born September 5, 2007, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the first child and only son of Thomas and Rebekah Rohrer. At 20 weeks gestation, it was discovered that he had a severe birth defect that made it highly unlikely that he would survive very long after birth. But thanks to incredible medical technology, fabulous medical care, tons of parental love and an unbelievable amount of Divine intervention, Nathan miraculously survived.

Even though he survived his birth defect, his life was not without challenges. Nathan’s health was often very fragile. He endured many surgeries, illnesses and hospitalizations throughout his life. But while his life was filled with many trials, it was also full of great joys. His health challenges made milestones so much more meaningful.

Nathan loved music. It soothed him. Whenever he was upset, he would ask his mom or his grandma to sing to him. He also loved to dance and made up his own creative style. He would groove out to the opening theme songs of NCIS and Bones as well as the theme song for Final Jeopardy. He had favorite songs by Taylor Swift, Matchbox Twenty and
Maroon 5, but perhaps his favorite was “When Can I See You Again” by
Owl City from the movie Wreck-it Ralph.

He also loved to read, especially cookbooks, even though he had a feeding tube and hardly ever ate anything other than chips and veggie straws. But mostly, he preferred to have his mother read to him. Even as a teenager, his favorite books were the ones his mother read to him as a child. He would often sneak in to listen to his mother read bedtime stories to his sisters.

Nathan loved learning and loved going to school. We are thankful for technology that helped facilitate his learning. He also loved riding the bus to school each day. He would get especially giddy when the bus drivers would let him push the button to open or close the doors. We are grateful for all the teachers and staff at Northridge Elementary School and Lakeridge Junior High that taught him, engaged with him and nurtured his love of learning.

Nathan also loved Mickey Mouse. He could spend hours each day watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, his favorite show. He would often just forward an episode to the end for the Hot Dog Dance – Hot Diggity Dog.

Nathan had a great love of doors: automatic doors, car doors, refrigerator doors. He loved to open and close them over and over again. He always had to push the button to open automatic doors and would wait and watch until they were closed. He also loved to swing at the park, sit and spin the lazy Susan in the cupboard or just bounce and bounce and bounce on his exercise ball. All of these are reminders to us to find enjoyment in the simple things in life.

Nathan was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized when he was 8 years old and was ordained a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. He passed the sacrament with his dad, but was most known in his ward for standing and swaying during the hymns.

Nathan brought joy and light to all he met. He was sweet and kind and loving. He had a highly contagious laugh that brought a
smile to everyone’s face. He was simply a joy to have and be around and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Because it was uncertain how long Nathan would live after he was born, we chose to name him Nathan because it means “gift of God.” We decided that no matter how long we got to have him, we would consider each day a gift. Nathan lived for 5,081 days, which means we were blessed with 5,081 gifts. We will now look forward to each day as being one day closer to seeing him again. How grateful we are for eternal families.

Nathan is survived by his parents, Thomas and Rebekah; sisters Amy, Sophie and Maddie; maternal grandparents James and Mary Kay Horspool; 11 aunts and uncles; 18 cousins; and many other extended family members and friends. All of us will miss him dearly. 

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Frankie and Peggy Rohrer, who we know are overjoyed to be reunited with him.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, August 12, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 135 East 2000 South in Orem, Utah. A viewing was held on Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street in Orem, as well as from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. before the funeral at the chapel.

Nathan will be buried in the Lovell Cemetery next to his grandparents. A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 16.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at SundbergOlpinMortuary.com.

For those unable to attend, the funeral services can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/sundbergolpinfuneralhome.