Jacob "Jake" A. Hartsoch

Jacob Al Hartsoch, beloved dad, husband, brother, son, uncle, friend, adventure buddy, and poet, died on Sunday, September 8, 2024, while climbing the mountain he loved the most. Born to Kate and Chuck Hartsoch in Polson, Montana, Jake was a man who lived life fully and authentically. A true adventurer, he embodied the spirit of an outdoorsman. He was the very definition of a community pillar, known for his humor, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the people in his life. 

Jake led an extraordinary life, but relished in being an ordinary man. He graduated from Polson High School in 1992. During this time his talents in writing, math and deep interest in computer science emerged. Jake was the rare guy who was as creative as he was scientifically minded. This made for a brilliant high school kid who won the Montana State Team Debate Championships and was selected to attend a camp at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During this time, he also created and nurtured life-long friendships that are still deeply valued today.

After high school, Jake attended Gonzaga University where he met the loves of his life: his wife, Beth, and running. He studied and excelled in computer science. He began writing poetry and essays in earnest and was published. But perhaps most importantly, he began running on the Gonzaga Cross Country team where he met Beth. You don’t think of running without Beth and Jake. And you don’t think of Jake without Beth. At Gonzaga was where he also made deep, life-long friendships. 

Jake made other people feel special by taking them on his little and big adventures. Jake would acquire gear in your size, run ahead to capture your photo, and even wear your pack - all with a giddy grin and twinkle in his eye.

Throughout his life, Jake pursued his passion for writing. He wrote the most beautifully haunting poetry and essays, merging physical landscape and scientific notions into words the reader could feel in their bones. His writing talent was unparalleled; he continued to be published throughout his life. 

Jake’s adventurous spirit was rooted in his desire to learn and he was largely self-taught. Later in life Jake took up sailing, as Jake was learning and captaining the “moody seas,” he was also sharing his knowledge. Anyone who has been on a Jake’s Dirtbag Adventure got a taste of his love of life and love for his family. 

Jake and Beth brought this world two remarkable boys, Quinn and Nolan, and gave them a childhood filled with family, friends, and adventure. Jake gifted his kids with his time. Nothing made him happier than taking his kids to wild places, but he also leaned into their loves: hunting and engineering with Quinn, basketball and drumming with Nolan. This love, dedication and adventuring was also extended to his sister, Sarah and her family. Family was the center of his heart and world. 

Jake reflected the Montana of his youth, he was a man with roots in rugged landscapes but a heart big enough to fill any room. His legacy will live on in the countless stories that fill the hearts of those who knew him. In Jake’s own words, “I’ve executed on a lot of beautiful bad ideas over the years, but this one was mostly just bad. And I’ll do it all again.” 

Jake, may you rest in peace, climbing alpine summits and navigating new seas, until we meet again.

Memorial donations may be made to the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team.