Ian Robert Stutterheim was senselessly taken from this world on June 16, 2022, at the age of 25.

Ian was born in Glendale, California on September 10th, 1996. He and his parents moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in September of 1997.

Ian attended Desert Springs Elementary School, Desert Shadows Middle School, and Horizon High School, all of Scottsdale, Arizona. He attended one year at the University of Arizona.

He spent all of high school singing his heart out in the Horizon High School choir as well as being a youth group leader at Desert Springs Bible Church.

Ian moved to Flagstaff in 2017 where he took a job at Bookman’s new and used bookstore, eventually becoming manager of their electronics department. He found a lot of joy at work and created a second family there. He continued to work there until his death.

He was a very generous and kind person with many, many friends and wouldn’t hesitate to help anyone that needed it. He loved his family and showed it often. Even though his 6’4” frame towered over most people, he was softhearted and gentle. He never gave a half-hearted hug.

Ian was a loving son and brother. He was incredibly protective of his younger sister, Valerie, and often spoke about wishing he could shield her from the hard parts of life. Ian was very close with his parents and saw them often. He enjoyed cooking with his mother and regularly called her for advice. Many of his interests were inspired by his father, whom he always said he wanted to be more like.

Ian loved playing video games with his friends and could be heard laughing loudly at all hours of the night with them. He was incredibly funny and always had a one-liner that could make you chuckle. He was a very smart young man and enjoyed science, computers, and new technology. He loved rockets and all things SpaceX. He enjoyed science fiction and was an avid reader his entire life. Getting together with friends and playing Dungeons and Dragons was another one of his favorite activities. He loved hosting parties and breaking out his karaoke machine. He was a great singer. He loved cats and could charm the most feral of them.

Hero is the most fitting word for Ian. His last act was saving the life of his close friend. He also registered to be an organ donor twice. Because of that choice, Ian’s heart saved a California male in his 60s. His liver saved a California woman in her 60s. His lungs saved an Arizona male in his 60s. His kidney and pancreas saved a California man in his 30s. Because of him, countless people get more time with their loved ones.

He is survived by his parents, Tony and Martha Stutterheim of Scottsdale, Arizona, his sister Valerie Stutterheim of Tempe, Arizona, grandparents Norman and Dorothy Voss of Bogue, Kansas, and Bob and Joyce Stutterheim of Salina Kansas. He is also survived by numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandmother Beverly Stutterheim.

Ian’s death leaves a hole in many hearts. He will forever be the voice in the back of our minds saying to stop working so much, go hang out with some friends, go enjoy a beer, go listen to some music, play the drums, set up the telescope, leave work at the office and have fun. Have a party. Be silly. Sing loudly. Laugh hard. Play a game. Enjoy your life. Because he surely did.

Share your stories of remembrance at his celebration of life on Saturday, June 25th at Desert Springs Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona at 1 pm. If possible, the family requests that attendees don’t wear black but rather something that reminds you of him or blue, his favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Victim Witness Services for Coconino County, Bloom365, or The Ark Cat Sanctuary. Donations can be made directly to these charities or through this site. More details can be found in the "Give" tab. If you donate directly, please leave a note that your donation is in honor of Ian so the family can extend their gratitude.

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