Ian Austin
April 27, 1978 ~ April 16, 2019
Ian Austin, 40, of Lisbon, Iowa, died April 16, 2019, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident. Memorial Service: 3:00 pm, Monday, April 22, 2019, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, with visitation beginning at noon.
Ian John was born April 27, 1978, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Rickey and Christine (Sweeney) Austin. The name Ian means John and John means "God's greatest gift". His father gave him this name after losing two other children. Ian exemplified his name in his everyday walk, loving those he met and having that love returned. He was a totally genuine, empathetic, and charismatic person. Ian was the glue that bonded his large circle of friends and cousins together. He is greatly missed now and forever.
Ian worked at Trapeze in Cedar Rapids as a Software Engineer and previously at Honeywell, Intermec and Norand. Additionally, he operated his own website development and hosting service for various clients. He loved the performing arts and was co-owner of the 'Circle of Ash' haunted attraction at the Linn County Fair Grounds and helped design and craft the many attractions at the Circle of Ash. He also worked with his lifelong friend, Hypnotist, Cory Osborn, providing stage lighting and sound effects. He had various hobbies which included technology, software development, electronics, photography, music, woodworking, scuba diving, taking cruises with friends, and helping people.
Surviving are his parents, Rick and Chris Austin of Lisbon; brother, Aaron (Kristina) Austin of Marion; nephews, Zachary and Christopher; grandmother, Barbara Sweeney; significant other, Deah Paulson; aunts and uncles, Fran Bartleson, Connie Collins, Cathy (Tom) Gaffney; Karen (Bob) Bolt, Anne (Tracy) Venditti, Rose (John) Kremer, Dee (George) Crum, Pat Sweeney, Mary (Jimmy) Brown, Dan Sweeney, Steven (Ann) Sweeney, and Rosie Stroschein; cousins, Matt, Amanda, Audra, Kim, Jeremy, Chenelle, Devin, Trina, Sammie, Carrie, Roman, Alex, Dorian, Kyle, Lauren, Jared, Ashley, Erica, Michele, JR, Victoria, Allison, Justin, Sawyer, Antwon, Jordan, Brad, and Finn; and friends including, Cory Osborn, Chelsea Haugh, and Josh Oberembt. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George Austin, Pauline Austin, and Jerry Sweeney.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids.
"Oh where, oh where can my baby be? The Lord took him away from me. He's gone to heaven, so I got to be good, so I can see my baby when I leave this world."
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Hard to believe we’ve known Ian for nearly 22 years now or so. Harder to believe that he now no longer with us. To Chris, Rick, Aaron, Kristina and all of Ian’s family & extended family, we send our heartfelt condolences. While mere words mostly fall short, we share your loss. Ian was always, always respectful, courteous, helpful & humorous with his quick wit or shooting a sideways glance in one of those ‘are you serious?’ moments. We will miss you . . . With love & admiration, Karen & Larry Oakley
When I started at Circle of Ash 6 years ago, Ian was the first person to really make me feel welcome and at home with the crew. Of course everyone was nice, but Ian always reached out to me separately to invite me to meetings or get togethers and really made me feel like I was a part of the team even though I didn’t know anybody. Fast forward, and Ian and I are such great friends, he calls me his little sister. Every hug was so warm, and every memory with him has a smile attached to it. He was really a one of a kind person and I already miss him more than I can put into words. I love you lots, Ian!
Everyone at Wand Enterprises extend our heartfelt condolences to Cory and Ian’s family and friends. We will miss his presence in the office and at gigs, he was considered to be part of the Team, and each of us feel the pain of losing someone so special . We are deeply saddened over such a tragic loss of a truly lovable and kind person. Our thoughts are with all of you during this sad time. Signed: Jim Wand, Kenda Summers, Billy Potter, Sue Voss, Adam McDermott and Zachary Mortensen.
I’ve found myself at a loss of words for this tragedy. Everyone who knew Ian was truly blessed. Everytime I was around him I learned something new and grew as a person. He helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life and was a wonderful friend and mentor. Not a day will go by I wont think of all the wonderful things he showed me, allowed me to be part of. You will be missed. You are my hero.
I met Ian in 2007. Many know me as, Panda. I knew immediately that Ian was a warm, honest person. He was also the type of person who answered the phone any time of night, would come to your rescue if in a jam, and would give you a teddy bear hug when you needed it the most. Not only was he a great guy, his family was amazing as well. I first met the Forest family. Man, he loved those people like his own. Who wouldn’t? Amazing actors, artists and warm-hearted people, even with the demonic clown face paint. I met his first family soon after. And they were such welcoming and all-around great people. I will never forget the passion he had in everything he did and his caring demeanor. I will miss you and please say hi to grandpa Ernie for me…he loved you too! Panda
Ian was an amazing, extremely kind, great guy. I feel honored to have crossed paths with him. I got to know him from the FF crew late night stops at Perkins. Then of course being convinced to occasionally help act at the haunts. Ian was a natural born leader with a presence everyone enjoyed. I send strength and love to all his family and friends.
Ian was such a kind soul and so genuine too. I met him while I was a Realtor and had the pleasure of meeting his crew/family. After extensive searches for the next great haunt site, he was always super detailed in what he wanted and really knew what the space could become…all while always so patient at the long and tedious process. He was like the big brother of his crew and was very heartfelt. I really wanted to find them their dream property and I didn’t end up doing it for them, and I later moved out of state. He really was a beautiful kind soul that will be greatly missed and My heart goes out to his family and haunt family. He was a good one.
I honestly can say I have never met a nicer and kinder person than Ian. No one ever felt like a stranger around him and he made sure of that. He truly was a very bright light in this dark world and I know his light will live on in each persons life that he was apart of.
I and the team at Trapeze have been so incredibly blessed to have Ian as a part of our work family over the past year. He very quickly became not only the technical “go to”, but a person the team leaned on and respected. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a type of graceful leadership that made him one of a kind. I can’t express enough how much we will miss him, and how grateful we are for the time we had with him. ~ Jennifer & Ian’s SIT Team Members
Thank you for being the best man at our wedding and for being our friend all these years. Works cannot express how devastating a loss this is. Rest in peace Ian. From Brandon & Joyce Bausch & Family
Ian was like a brother to me. We met in 2004 and we had shared a friendship where no matter how much time had passed between our last visit, we were always able to pickup right where we had left off. Ian had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. He’d be willing to drop everything if it meant helping a friend. Having Ian in my life made things so much more brighter and he will truly be missed. He’s forever in my heart.
Ian was always a friend and I have never met a kinder, smarter, and quick witted individual. We haven’t spoken since our Intermec days but this has hit us all so hard.
It’s been years since I have seen or talked to Ian, as I was involved with helping at “The Forest” in the earlier years. Whenever I would think of him, I would always remember his big smile, his thoughtfulness, and his penchant for making everyone feel right at home and as if we all had special gifts and talents. I always did behind the scenes type of work but he was always very gracious and would thank anyone and everyone who helped in any way, making us all feel even more happy to be a part of something so wonderful. Truly one of the rarest gifts in life is to have known such a genuine joyous soul who’s brought so many of us from all walks of life together. RIP Ian, you will be missed greatly.
We worked at Norand with Rick and had met Ian when he also worked there. Please accept our deepest sympathy in this very very sad time. Denny and Virginia Durbin
Thank you to Ian’s parents and family for raising up such a good man. All of us with grown children know that what we want for them are many things but at the top of the list would have to be security and happiness. Ian gave that to Deah and for that we are so grateful. We will keep him in our hearts always. B&A Paulson.
Over the last few days, many of us in the Lisbon High School Class of 1996, have spent time in reflection. Taken far to early, we have reflected on the spirit of Ian. We will all remember Ian as a funny, kind, generous, and accepting person. It is in this spirit, that the Class of 1996 has sent a donation to the memorial for Ian, to the Boys and Girls Club in Cedar Rapids. It is our hope that this will be used to help cultivate Ian’s spirit in the lives of the next generation. While many of us could not attend services today, Ian’s family is in our thoughts and prayers. He was a friend to us all and will be greatly missed.