04 Aug, 2011
This week, the Carbon Sabbath community mourns the loss of one of its own. Katie Helmstadter passed away on Monday, August 1st, 2011. Katie was one of the most compassionate human beings I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She lived the sort of simple lifestyle directed at loving and serving others that embodies the best of her Christian faith. Her active pursuit of social justice led her to mentor under-privileged youth in Chicago, among other similarly generous and loving acts. Through all that she did, Katie’s smile made all around her feel welcome and loved.
In addition to her exceptionally warm smile and kind heart, Katie also possessed a rare intellect. She was in the process of wrapping up a PhD in Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology from UC Davis. She had a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell, and transferred to Davis from Loyola University in Chicago.
Katie illustrating one of her many talents
Katie complimented her active compassion and scientific research with athletic accomplishment. She was a seasoned distance runner who had the pleasure of running on 5 continents, in 10 countries, and 26 states. She was also an avid climber who explored great climbs from Colorado to Yosemite.
Katie and John hiking the W in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
I first met Katie in San Francisco in the summer of 2009 through her brother John Helmiere, who is one of my closest friends and a fellow Yale Divinity School alum. In the years following, I was fortunate to spin fables and talk about faith and social justice with Katie on several occasions all over the States. When I started the Carbon Sabbath ride, she was one of the first people to contact me and offer to be my host in Davis. I modified the itinerary to make sure I’d see this old friend and her dog Japhy. We spent a few restful days reading, cycling around the shady streets of Davis, and swimming whenever we had the chance.
I have shed few tears in my adult life, but my body shook and cheeks melted at the news of her passing. She will always stand out to me as a model for living out Christian ideals.
For those of you who know John, Freddie, and the Helmstadters, I ask you to be sensitive and patient in your condolences.
“Justice is what love looks like in public.” — Cornel West (one of Katie’s favorite quotes as well as an indication of her understanding of Christian values in practice)
“I admire all of the ordinary radicals out there. Another World Is Possible!”
-from Katie’s facebook page
In Loving Memory of Katie Helmstadter (September 6, 1979—August 1, 2011)