Nathaniel Ferris Moore, known to everyone simply as Nate, died unexpectedly at his home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, on April 8, 2026. He was 48 years old. His passing has left the Minneapolis-area community in quiet shock, as family, friends, and the many young lives he touched reflect on a man whose gentle presence and deep love for the natural world created ripples of joy that will long outlast him.
Nate’s connection to the outdoors began in high school, when he first served as a counselor at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi along the shores of Lake Independence in Loretto. That experience ignited a lifelong passion and set him on a path of guiding others toward the same sense of wonder and freedom he found in nature. He went on to earn a degree in Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Business from the University of Minnesota, and soon after, he followed his heart northward to Alaska.
He immersed himself in the rugged wilderness of Alaska for several years, falling in love with the changing seasons, wildlife photography, and the vast open spaces that felt like home. Eventually, he returned to Minnesota, but he carried that northern spirit with him.
He spent the rest of his professional life at REI, first in Anchorage and later at the Bloomington location. There, he became known not just as an employee, but as someone who genuinely helped people discover the joy of hiking, camping, mountain biking, skiing, and trail building. He encouraged everyone to step outside and embrace the landscapes that brought him such genuine happiness.
At home in the Twin Cities, Nate was cherished by his long-term partner, Erica, with whom he shared seven beautiful years as best friends and soulmates. He also loved her children, Andrew and Arianna, as his own. He is survived by his parents, Eric Moore and Mary Pat Kwaterski; his siblings, Daniel and Frances; his nieces, Kiley and Juniper; his nephews, Heinrich and Ozzy; and a close circle of friends who felt his warmth, humor, and unwavering kindness in every interaction.
Though his time with them ended far too soon, Nate’s legacy of authenticity and balance lives on. It lives in the countless campers he inspired at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi. It lives in the trails he helped maintain. And it lives in the simple reminder he left behind: that a life well-lived is measured not by possessions, but by the room made for people and places that truly matter.
A celebration of his life is planned for May 9, 2026, at the very camp where his outdoor journey began. Donations in his memory are encouraged to support scholarships and wilderness programs at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi, ensuring that future generations will have the same opportunities to discover the wonder of the natural world that Nate loved so deeply.