Although this website was conceived to help in the search for Ian, it will now serve a different purpose. Feel free to share your thoughts, reflections or stories about Ian. You may share any photos of Ian, as well. Just e-mail your message and any photos to green@scvpublishing.com. Any material submitted is subject to editing for content. Thank you for your participation. 
Thank You for Loving Him So Much My greetings to all of you who have shared so much love in the search for and in the final tragedy of finding our beloved Ian. As you have said, he was a much-loved young man -- respected, appreciated and valued for the wonderful person he was. It's absolutely heartbreaking for our family to have lost him. Ian was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. As a baby and toddler, he was the kind of child who always attracted a lot of attention -- happy and laughing all the time, smiling with a smile that would brighten the world, and bringing the kind of joy that is only dreamed about. People would stop us in the stores or in shopping centers and just want to look at him or spend a little time around this most beautiful baby boy. Blond with curly hair, beautiful dark brown eyes and that ever-present smile. As his Mom, I remember all those first times -- those that come with the honor of parenthood. I remember the Christmas photos with Santa. I also remember that early Easter photo with the Easter Bunny when perhaps he'd had just a little too much milk and he promptly up-chucked all over the bunny; I guess not everyone was totally thrilled with some of his performances! I remember his first days at day care, at school, learning how to swim, riding his bike, playing hockey and soccer, wrestling, downhill skiing, skateboards, learning how to drive my stick-shift car ("Mom, why'd you have to get such a stupid car!"). I remember all the trips to the emergency rooms -- that little scar on his forehead happened when he was running to look at some fire trucks near our home and he tripped on the vacuum cleaner. He was 20 months old and had his first stitches. Subsequent trips to the hospital were for a severe corneal abrasion from flipping a ruler into the air and not stepping out of its way as the ruler made the return trip to his desk; a concussion from literally flying off the mountain while he was downhill skiing at Mt. Alyeska; and the broken collar bone from his wrestling adventures at Service High School. I remember all those firsts at school -- when he was supposed to be a Christmas Tree at the day-care Christmas pageant; when he got on that great-big yellow bus that took my baby to his first day of kindergarten; his try-outs for soccer and hockey (and all those lace-up times for all that hockey gear!) I remember his First Holy Communion at our church, and his Confirmation as a young adult. I remember how much I admired him for trying out for an Anchorage community play at the Center for the Performing Arts. What courage! I remember when he told me that after the 10th grade here in Anchorage he wanted to move to California to live with his Dad. My heart was torn in two, yet I knew it was a decision that needed to be honored and respected. When Ian left, he took all his "stuff," he took his beautiful dog, Joe, and he took the torn pieces of my heart. He returned to Anchorage a couple of times to visit, and we saw each other in California just a few times. In May of 2002 when Ian and Aimee moved into their new condo, I was asked if I could take Joseph the wonder dog back since they couldn't have pets. We were thrilled then, and we're overjoyed especially now to have Ian's cherished Joe-boy back with us. This past July we were overjoyed to have both Ian and Aimee join our family on a seven-day cruise in the Western Caribbean. We had a blast! We have pictures, the videos of river tubing in Jamaica are incredible, and most of all we have the wonderful memories of a perfect time spent with family. On Saturday, December 6, 2003, at 2 p.m., Ian will be honored with a full Mass of Christian Burial at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. We brought some of his ashes back to Anchorage and will honor him with beautiful music and song, an abundance of flowers, and all the blessings our church can bestow on him. We'll sing the beautiful Psalm 16 "Keep my safe, O Lord, I take refuge in you," in which we sing "For my heart shall sing with joy, in your arms I rest securely, you will not abandon me to death, you will not desert me." And with the final blessings, we will release our son into the hands of God where he rests in peace, away from that which so troubled him. My blessing on all who have helped our family during this most tragic of times. Thank you for sharing your lives with my son, for enriching his time here on earth, and for loving him so much. Sincerely, Kathy Harte
Ian's Mom
My Guardian Angel! I grew up with Ian in Anchorage, Alaska. I was definitely the "difficult" child between us! And most of the time Ian got to take the blame for anything I did, because he was supposed to be watching me! (I always got a thrill from that.) My parents would tell me how when we were little Ian would just be peacefully watching TV by himself and out of nowhere here I would come sneaking up behind him and WACK him on the head, then go flying out of the room like he wouldn't be able to find me later or something! But what would he do... nothing. Just turn around and look at me like I was crazy and continue with his show. But there were a few times when he wasn't so innocent! Like the time he broke my head open when we where playing tug-of-war and he thought it would be funny to let the rope go and see how far I would fall backwards! And when he BROKE my bedroom door open by slamming his body back and forth into it trying to scare me! When Ian was about 15 he was chasing me around the house trying to see who I was on the phone with, and while he was doing this he had one of my paintbrushes in his ear to relieve some itchiness going on in there and he went around the corner to follow me downstairs and as he did that the paintbrush hit the wall and jammed into his ear, rupturing his eardrum! And off to the ER again... I moved to California two years after Ian did, and a couple years later we got an apartment together. Where soon after that my boyfriend came to spend the night, and well never left! The three of us in a one-bedroom apartment! Oh, that was fun! But whom do you think got the bedroom! Yep... that was me! I will never understand how he ever put up with me but he did, and never, well not very often complained about it. (To me) He let me slid on everything! When Ian and his friends went to Paris Ian had asked if I would trade rooms with him (now we share a town home) Ian had the bigger room with the walk in closet so of course I sprung up and said "YEAH, you would want to?" he said he would think about it. Well...I got to excited and just took it upon my self to surprise him when he got back from Paris by switching the rooms my self! He wasn't quite as excited as I was about that, but he looked at me, raised his eyebrows and said "goober" (my cursed nickname from when I was little) and that was the end of it. I wish I had the chance to say thank you for being the best brother I could ever imagined having. I wish I told him that I knew as long as he was around I would feel like I was safe and protected. He was so protective over me and took that role of the older brother better then I could have asked. And I never told him that, which will be my biggest regret. I looked up to him so highly. Ian was the smart, responsible, relaxed one of the two of us. I would enter the house sometimes all mad and screaming over something and Ian would just look at me, and say in that sarcastic tone of his "goober, what do you need" and with out hesitation would help me in any way. Even if it meant taking is last 20 bucks until payday. He did so much for me and I wish I had the chance to just tell him that I realized it, that I appreciated everything that he did, that I loved him. Ian was such a kind and unselfish person. He was always willing to help out anyone with out wanting or expecting something in return. And not only was he willing to help but he liked to, he did it with out sighing or hesitation. He was just a great friend. I loved coming home and Ian telling me stories about his very eventful days at work! And what e-mails he would send out campus wide. ( even to the President) Like the one he sent out with an application to be his TOP GUN partner for Halloween, or the one he sent about how much he loved going to fix someone's computer and the person would sit there and talk to him about their cat "fee fee" and what "fee fee" did today that was just so darn cute! And then wondering why their keyboard wont work and Ian would find dried food crammed in between the keys! Ian had the best sense of humor from anyone I know. I will always remember Ian on a motorcycle, fixing that red Jeep of his that I mistakenly called "cute" when he first got it (never say a man's car is cute!), or Dad and Ian trying to put together that Corvette of his. Ian loved projects, that's for sure!!!! He was my only brother, and I will forever miss him, not just as my brother but also as my friend whom I never thought would leave me. I know that we all miss him very much, but I know that Ian is in a good place now and out of whatever pain he was in that was even too rough for Ian to handle. I know he knew we loved him. And all we have are memories, but he left wonderful memories for us to cherish forever! Though Ian is not here for us to see or be with, I know that he is still watching over and protecting his little sister from the wonderful place he is today! I love you, Ian, and will miss you always. Thank you for being everything to me! Aimee
Ian, You Will be Forever Loved Ian: I didn't know you long, but I feel I know you well because I know how you were raised. I am your mother's life partner and am intimately familiar with how much she loved you. My last memory of you was when you shook my hand at Miami International and then gave your mother a big hug before boarding your plane to return to California with your sister Aimee. Your mother stayed there as long as she could until you had disappeared from sight behind the security station. The last memory we have of you was of you smiling. I join the throngs of friends and family in all the questions that will not be answered until I can shake your hand again. Until then, know that you were, are and will forever be loved by your mother and me. Until we meet again, Greg
Always in My Heart I first met Ian in June and we had a great time together every day since. Ian is definitely the type of guy that everyone loves to be around. His amazing personality and adorable smile drew me to him. We began dating in July and soon after I found myself looking forward to his daily call. Ian would almost always make sure to call me every day around 10:30 to wake me up. I work at a restaurant at night so I never had to wake up early. However, Ian didn't find it fair that he was up and working while I was asleep. Although I didn't want to wake up, I loved each call. Every call included some crazy, detailed story about the many things going on at COC. My favorite was the application sent out to be character of "Top Gun" for Halloween. I remember being at his house that night and not only did I have to read the e-mail but we also had to watch the movie. Ian was going to be Iceman, of course. Because as Ian put it, " Iceman never makes mistakes." And to Ian's surprise his sister Aimee had never seen the movie. He was so shocked that he tried to make her watch the "good part" at least because "you must be a communist if you've never seen Top Gun." Last summer was the most fun summer I've ever had and much of it is thanks to him. We didn't even do anything over exciting; it was just so much fun when we all hung out together. Our days together consisted of drinking Coors Light and chillin' at the pool or on the couch. The four of us began to call ourselves King of the Hill, because we were always standing outside on the steps or in the garage drinking. We'd amuse ourselves with outrageous and very detailed stories. We once tried to convince Inder that some plastic circles on the ceiling were actually speakers and hidden cameras, because narcotics agents were after Ian for years. Not only was Ian a blast to be around, he was also always there for everyone who needed him. Just this September some of my friends were moving and we needed some extra help. Ian had been working all day and still came over to help people that he wasn't even friends with, just because they were my friends and we needed help. My friends were amazed by how much we got done when Ian came to help, and after she thanked him for all of his help he simply replied that it wasn't a problem and just to call if she needed anything else. Ian is truly a wonderful person. I am completely in shock by what happened. It is so unreal to me that I'll never get to hear one of his stories, talk to him on the phone, listen to him talk about how much he hated Kansas, watch him fix the Jeep or clean his bike, see him laugh at one of my dumb jokes, go to the store with him, and most of all just sit with him on the couch and watch TV. Ian has left me with great memories, and he will always have a place in my heart. Ashley Simmons
Ian Was a Special Person I didn't know Ian that long at all. I'm the girl he helped move. Even though I didn't know Ian for that long, one thing is for sure. He was great! I remember one night I was waiting for his girlfriend Ashley to get off work so we could hang out and I needed the phone. It was so cold out and I was sitting on the steps outside of his apartment. I went to his apartment to use his phone. He noticed that I was cold, so being the great guy that he is he asked me if I wanted to wait inside for her. She was going to go up there anyway when she got there. I said 'no,' but just the fact that he offered and didn't know me was great. The day that he helped me move I actually didn't know that he was coming to save the day. That had been one of the worst days of my life, and just to hear the words "Ian is coming to help" was a breath of fresh air. It was great. As soon as he got there all the stuff that there was no way that Ashley, Pam and I could move got out of our apartment, which happened to be on the third floor. I could always count on Ian for anything. And I didn't really know him at all. Ian, you're a great guy and you have the most respect that any one person can get from another from me. I wish that there is something anyone could have done. What happened with Ian has not only been sad and unexpected, but it has taught me something. To never take anyone for granted or the good times you've had with them. He will forever be with everyone who had love for him. I want to say to Ashley, Aimee and his family that I'm so sorry for the unexpected death of your son/good friend. Aimee, Ashley and friends, I know we don't know each other, but I'm more than willing to help with anything I can! Once again, I'm sorry to everyone who is grieving. Colleen Johnson
Ian Was a Special Person I went to school with Ian at ITT. I was always intrigued by Ian because of his quiet disposition. He would come to class, do his stuff and quietly leave. He impressed me every time there was a deadline or project due. I was fortunate to be on his team a couple of times, and I was truly amazed at his knowledge. He always surprised me on presentation day with his hard work. Ian was very friendly with anyone who wanted to talk to him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything. He was just a NICE GUY! A special thanks to Ian's parents for raising such a special son and allowing him to influence all of our lives in his own special way. Ian will be missed, and my prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends. Kimry Bassett
Ian Was a Great Guy I know Ian and am too in shock at what has occurred. Although there might have been issues in his life that he ceases to share with the outside world, I can guarantee that he is definitely not alone. Ian was a great guy, and during the time I spent with him he always appeared, fun, friendly and ready to live life. I feel it very important that there be some type of outlet for individuals that may have personal issues they don't feel like sharing with the outside world. As I went through COC, and while living in the SCV, I never really encountered such a program that catered to individuals with needs such as these. Further, if there was one, I was never really made aware of it. A confidential program for individuals that are having personal issues that don't want to share them with the outside world might help others with such needs as it appeared Ian Harte had. God Bless, Ian Harte Mario N. Gallo
Ian Was Meant to Touch the Hearts of Many I work at another community college (Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, Calif.) and heard about Ian being missing from an e-mail sent out by my co-worker. The e-mail asked that we all be on the lookout for Ian and his Jeep and to pray for his safe return. I printed out Ian's picture and posted in our office. We all talked of the young man and spoke of this young stranger's plight. I was surprised to see how many young people expressed concern for this young man. There was just something in Ian's eyes that spoke to everyone. As a grandmother of a young man just Ian's age, I feel so touched by this tragedy. I pray that all who knew and loved Ian will find peace in their positive memories and in the prayers we all send to them. Ian was meant to touch the hearts of many he was successful. Linda Geist
Job Placement Center
Antelope Valley College
I Won't Forget You, My Friend Ian and I were classmates at ITT Tech. I didn’t know him well, but I called him my friend. We shared a common interest of motorcycles and talked on occasion of going riding together. He was as all have said -- a nice, quiet and very smart person. I am saddened and heartbroken at our loss. I prayed for him when he was missing, and I pray for him and his family still. I wanted to get to know Ian better and made attempts several times, but we just never hooked up. He lived down the street from me, and I would always hear him riding his motorcycle past my apartment. I ran into Ian shortly after graduation in June on the COC campus. I was so happy to see him and talk with him. Ian never made it to graduation; he missed it. I remember feeling sad that I would not get to walk with my friend. I remember thinking all that hard work he did and not relishing in the celebration of his accomplishment with us. I think of Ian almost every day, and like the rest of you, I am confounded as to why such a bright star has gone out. I miss my friend. I wish I could have got to known him better. I wish, I wish ... I will not forget you, “My Friend”. Tom Ybarrondo
I Want to Remember Ian I think Ian Harte had a lot of HEART, perhaps too much heart. I did not know Ian well, but I know he was responsive and conscientious toward the work he did for me! I know he was funny, well liked and I know I could make him smile. I'm sure he preferred smiling! This may seem really obvious because a young man with so much promise and future decided that his only way out was to take his own life. But I think that Ian must have been a wounded soul with a hurt heart. I will never know, as he has ended his life and left me wondering about who he really was and what part of his pain might have been altered by those who would have helped had they known. But the missing information that goes unknown cannot help him now and seems not to be necessary as he is gone. I wish I would have e-mailed Ian a quick note to say what a good idea I thought he had after receiving the (campuswide) e-mail he sent requesting Halloween accessories to enhance his "Top Gun" theme. He wanted to win back the coveted award for the Tech Center. I wish I would have said thank-you to him the last time he and Mauricio worked on my computer to upgrade it for my benefit. Although this inaction on my part probably would have changed nothing regarding the tragedy that played out, nonetheless I wish I had done those things. I want to remember Ian Harte not just because he was no doubt a beautiful human being but because the five-week search and final loss of him has reminded me that the lives of the young are so sensitive and worthy of our audible words of praise. Because Ian Harte's short life has reminded me of the fragileness of life. I want to take time daily to remember what life is really about; it's about the love that we impart here. I want to remember to utter praises, smile more at others, not to judge or be quick to anger, to forgive and forget. I want the memory of Ian's life to live on, to remind me daily to strive toward action on the behalf of others and to acknowledge kind deeds or even the daily tasks of others that help me along my way. I want to remember to say words of encouragement and praise that I think, and sometimes let, go unsaid. I want to remember Ian. Michele Edmonson
College of the Canyons Foundation
I Will Never Forget Ian I met Ian just a few months ago at a party. We talked a little but nothing really came of it. Although I didn't know him very well, there was still something about him that I liked. So, imagine my surprise when I looked up from my desk at COC into another office where he was standing over a computer. He worked here, too! I was very surprised and excited. With help from a co-worker, I finally got the nerve to e-mail him to say hello and tell him I worked here, too. Although at the time I felt kind of stupid, now I think it was the best e-mail I've ever sent. Ian and I started talking a lot and got to know each other and eventually were e-mailing every day, all day, and sometimes he would come visit me. He was so much fun. He brightened every day and ALWAYS kept me laughing. He was honestly the funniest person I've ever met, and the things he came up with still amaze me. We hung out sometimes outside of work or talked on the phone. I felt like I got to know him. When Ian first disappeared, I was in complete shock. I had no idea where he could have gone. I talked to him the day before, his birthday, and couldn't believe it. I ran different scenarios and places through my head of what could have happened or where he could be, but nothing made sense. Those five weeks were really tough for me, and I couldn't even imagine how his family felt. I convinced myself that he was OK and just took off for a while; I knew that he'd been a little stressed out and thought maybe he needed a break. When I found out what really happened, I couldn't believe it. Well, I still can't. It's so hard to understand, and I wish that I could have done something or helped him out. I keep thinking that I should have called him that night or asked him to hang out over the weekend, but I know that I can't turn back time and who's to say it would have helped? Every day at work feels empty, and I'm sad a lot. Ian made a huge impact on me, and I will never forget him. I wish he would have known how much he meant to me and how much people cared about him. He was a great person and I miss him terribly. Ian's death has taught me not to take anyone for granted and always let people you care about know how you feel. It may be your only chance. Jillian Edmonson
I Know Ian is Doing OK Now I went to school with Ian at ITT Tech. It was the very last quarter, all of us just anxious to get out of school, but there was one last project to do. Ian was in my group, along with two other girls, and me and the girls were stressing about getting this project done. We procrastinated a bit... OK, a lot... so when it came down to presentation day, we didn't really know what we were filling up our time talking about. Then Ian steps up, after we finished our two minutes worth of talking, and gives this long, detailed description of our network and every component. Everyone was so impressed and shocked at this because Ian wasn't really one to speak up in class. But I'm glad he did that day... he saved us! Because of him I finished school with As, and he even gave me all his extra tickets to graduation. He was such a nice guy, and I know that he is doing OK now. Take care of my friends and family till I can get up there, Ian! Tara Bay
I'll See You Again One Day I went to school with Ian, I worked with Ian, I partied with him, and I don’t understand why. Why did such a bright guy have to take himself away from all of us? Although the past few years we weren’t as close, I would always bump into him around town and we would always plan to get together. Now I will never have that chance again. He was my mentor at my first computer job at College of the Canyons. He gave me an opportunity to succeed, and I took it with the best of my ability. I wish, just one last time, I could have called him, seen what he was up to. Just to hang out one more time. I can only hope that he is looking down upon us now and seeing how dearly we miss him. I will never forget the days that Ian, I and Lyonell would hang out at his apartment, and just talk about whatever was on our minds. It truly saddened me when I got the phone call. I do not know what to say. Goodbye, Ian, we will miss you, and I hope to see you one day in heaven. Eric Wade
Friend and Former Co-Worker
One of the Most Enjoyable People I worked with Ian for a short period of time as an intern. Ian is one of the most enjoyable people to be around, I liked him right away. Ian is a great person. He will be missed. Jeff Taylor
I Failed the Interview Here is a little paragraph that I took out of an e-mail Ian sent me on October 6, 2003. It's in regards to an application to be the "girl" in "Top Gun" in the Halloween contest that Ian was planning to participate in here at College of the Canyons. He had me do a test to see if I would "qualify for the part." I submitted it and this is part of his response: "I appreciate your interest in the open position, however I regret to inform you that you have failed the interview. If your interview were a plane, it would be going down in flames, if it were a boat, it would be the Titanic." I think it shows what a nice, polite person he was with a great sense of humor. Karina V. Razo
International Students Program Specialist II
College of the Canyons
Ian's Death Has Changed Me I am just so amazed by this. Not only about Ian's story, but at the lingering effect that it has had on me. I had never even heard Ian Harte's name before the day that I heard he was missing. Strangely enough, though, I found myself compelled to continually check back -- wondering -- what happened to Ian? Then the shock of hearing of his passing. I was stunned. For a while I even thought that maybe it was just staged to look like a suicide. I mean, no way could a young man, who was so obviously loved, drive out to the desert to end his life! I have thought so much about the moments leading up to the end ... and even more about how his family must be stricken by their loss. I can't seem to shake this, and think about it often. On Thanksgiving, when asked what I was thankful for, I knew without hesitation: For having my loved ones and being able to share that day with them, as I knew somewhere Ian's family was spending their first Thanksgiving without him. This has changed me quite a bit -- more than I would have ever imagined. All I can say is that my heart truly goes out to Ian's family for their tremendous loss and, Ian... Thank you. Thank you for showing me how important life really is. Janene Glozer
I Never Knew Ian I never knew Ian... and for many weeks now I've always seen his picture on the missing flyers all over campus and even at the Canyon Country Access center. Every time I saw his picture I would say, "Dude, where are you?" and pray for him and his safe return. But the terrible news has struck of his loss, and I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a beloved young man. I am at a loss for words, and my tears only express the sorrow that is felt in the hearts of those who loved Ian. I am deeply saddened, and the only good that has come out of this tragic incident is the realization of how precious life really is. It is making me realize that a life is more than what it is. It is the love and grace that will truly be missed and makes me thankful of the love that I am surrounded by and the love that Ian has brought to his family, friends and community. With my deepest sympathy to Ian's family, I hope that the future holds a brighter day and for the community to see the love that Ian has brought in his precious short time with us. an and his family will always be in my prayers. Ryan B. Ramos
Ian Was Loved I read an article in The Signal of a young 24-year-old man who was missing. After reading the article I went onto his website daily, wondering if this man I had never known, never talked to, and never passed would be found. I wondered about his sister staring into his empty bedroom, his co-workers staring at his empty desk. How could this be? A man missing, and from my own city. Where could he be? What was he thinking? When will he be found? I passed flyers of him everywhere, staring at him, telling him, "Please be safe, please come home, please be alive!" Why would he leave, that was just not possible by a guy that was so loved? I wondered what could have become of him? Why haven't we found these people that took Ian from his family? I was saddened to hear that it was Ian who took himself away from all of you who loved him! Gosh, I can only imagine your feelings. Why wasn't I there... why couldn't I have saved him... why didn't he know that I loved him? The truth is you will never know some of these answers, and I think that will be the hardest part of this whole tragedy. I am postive Ian did know how much he was loved. Try to take comfort in knowing that sometimes it's not easy to see warning signs. Please don't beat yourself up trying to blame yourself. None of you did anything to cause this tragedy. Remember Ian for the years you had known him. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I'm so sorry for your loss. Diane Banda
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