Obituary of Nicholas Joel Dybdahl

Nick Dybdahl passed away December 1 in his father's arms with his mother by his side after a year-long battle against spindle cell sarcoma.Nick was born February 10, 1981 in Santa Cruz. He grew up in Soquel, attending Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary, New Brighton Middle School and Soquel High, class of 1999. Nick was an excellent student and a gifted writer. He was a natural athlete and enjoyed many sports including several years of Little League, track, bicycling, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, and especially skateboarding. He loved nature and enjoyed hiking and camping. He was in Cub and Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a skilled guitarist and artist. His stencils are beautiful and evocative.Nick moved in 1999 to attend UC Davis, graduating with a BS in cellular biology. He remained in Davis to work as a laboratory technician for Aqua Science and then for the City of Yuba City, all the while continuing his studies and earning higher state certifications. In March of 2010 Nick achieved his dream of returning home when he was hired by the County of Santa Cruz as an environmental compliance inspector and educator. In September 2010 he and his cousin Adam bought the historic Victorian Porter home in Aptos. Nick enjoyed maintaining and beautifying his house and property, observing all the wildlife, and even raising goats. From his home Nick could bike to work along the ocean cliffs and beaches. He was so happy to have returned to the family and friends he cherished.Nick was a kind, loving and thoughtful person to everyone he met, always. He took great interest in others, was conscious of and sensitive to their travails, and unselfishly looked out for them. Friends say: Nick had an infectious energy and a gift of relating to people of all types; life with Nick was always an adventure; things are so predictable without Nick. Nick lived life to the fullest. He leaves many dear friends.Survived by loving parents Chris and Rossanna, his brother Paul (Kate Lombardi), grandmother Yolanda Dybdahl; maternal aunts Barbara (Bob) Chapman, Anita (Todd) Laird, Roberta (Rusty) Cummings, and uncle Ron (Velvie) Scarpa; paternal aunt Adele (Tom) Kimple and uncles Erik (Nancy) Dybdahl and Mark Dybdahl; cousins Chris Chapman, Michelle Ball, Bryan Cummings, Stephanie Cummings, Chase Laird, Lauren Laird, Jeremy Dybdahl and Adam Dybdahl. Predeceased by grandparents Harry and Lorraine Scarpa and Chris J. Dybdahl, and cousin, Jon Dybdahl.Nick's friends and family will gather Wednesday, December 30th at 2:00 p.m. at Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd., Santa Cruz to remember him.