Friday, March 29, 2024

Tao Lee Stettler

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Tao Lee Stettler died at the age of 39 on August 14, 2022 in Pateros, Washington. He was born on August 2, 1983 in North Carolina to Ralph Stettler and Jennifer (Lucas) Carlson. He spent his first years aboard his parents' 60 foot schooner Mistress, sailing along the east coast until the family sold the boat in 1987 and moved across the country to Port Angeles, Washington.  When he was five years old, his sister Ellen was born and they became a family of four. The Stettler family then settled in Pateros in North Central Washington along the Methow River. 

   While attending Pateros Schools, Tao participated in many activities including tennis, football, pep band, and drama club. After graduation, Tao attended the University of Washington in Seattle obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. In 2011 he moved back to Pateros where he became an Electronic Service Technician at MAF and was able to use his engineering background to help automate fruit industry processes. This position allowed him to travel all over the world including Nova Scotia, Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa where he met Ziyavela (Zee), his fiance and the mother of his son Raiden. Tao was building a life for them in North Central Washington where he had recently purchased a home in Mallot and was just waiting for Zee’s visa to be approved. 

Tao’s short but interesting life was filled with many passions including experiencing culture through travel to places such as Italy, Peru, Jamaica, and Thailand. He loved any activity where he could be outside and would often be found snowboarding on a fresh powder day, or on a tube in the Methow River on a summer afternoon. His interests of cooking, gaming, reading, and his love of movies allowed him to strike up a conversation with anyone. But perhaps what we will all remember most about him was his love of music. He always had a tune in his head and a beat at his fingertips and wanted to share it with the world. 

Tao was preceded in death by his father Ralph Stettler. He is survived by his mother Jennifer Carlson (Eric), his sister Ellen Koppelman (Matthew), his fiance Ziyavela Macingwana and their son Raiden Stettler. Tao also leaves aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews who adored him. Tao’s creativity and love of life made every experience an adventure, or as he might say, a quest. We will never forget his easy smile and the excitement he brought to the room. His presence enriched all of our lives and he will be greatly missed.