Gale David Westerman

We sorrowfully announce the passing of our beloved son, Gale David Westerman. He was living for a short time, once again, in a land he loved dearly, Alaska. He was working there on the family house located in Talkeetna, in preparation for returning to Utah and further adventures.

Gale, the son of Gale Sidney Westerman “Sid,” and Ramona Mae (Smith) Westerman, was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1972, and died on Saturday, August 28, 2021. He has six siblings: Jeremy, the oldest; Aaron (Angie); Jared; Melissa (Nathan); Alicia (Matthew); and the youngest, Bruce (Kathryn). He has 14 nieces and nephews; Karleann (with Ashton, Grey, and Hazelee in their family), Camerin, Brandon, Krystal, Rachell, Micaela, Brooklyn, Clinton, Raimee, Ashton, Elyas, Allison, and Jethro. Gale loved and appreciated all of them very much, though he saw them not often, being away so much in Alaska, especially in former years, and families being scattered.

Life for Gale was at times very difficult, having been diagnosed with diabetes when he was nine years old. He struggled with it and rued this fact most of his life. In the midst of these struggles, he gained a tremendous love for nature – birds and other animals particularly. He is and should be honored, appreciated, and remembered for his ardent and wonderful desire to preserve and aid our wonderful earth and its creatures.

Gale was aware of and truly loved his family and friends. He spent much free time with his kind and dear friends hiking, exploring, and photographing our glorious environment in many places.

This young man never sought notoriety or applause; he was humble and generous with what he possessed, the skills he developed, and the talents he shared so freely. Nevertheless, he fervently defended his views, sometimes powerfully so.

No doubt he is being generously greeted now by loved ones, among them his grandparents. And without question, he will be noticing all the wonderful creations of God on that side of the veil, gloriously as, or more beautiful than those we enjoy here.

So, when you see birds flying by so marvelously, when you see mountain peaks and trails being traversed by fellow travelers, think of Gale being there too and enjoying the marvels around him.

And when you think of Gale, remember that he would be the first to thank you for remembering him and seeing the beauties all around you.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 4 at the LDS Stake Center located at 13085 S 300 E, Draper, Utah from 9:00-10:15 a.m. A Funeral Service will follow at the same location at 10:30 a.m.

Interment to follow at Memorial Lakeview Cemetery located at 1640 Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, or National Wildlife Fund.