Asher Linden Tenud

19 years old
Born on November 27, 2005 in Kirkland, Washington, United States
Passed away on December 24, 2024 in Lompoc, California, United States

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms...”
― Henry David Thoreau

Asher was born November 27, 2005 in Kirkland, Washington to Mom Danielle Rhodes and Dad Ashley Tenud, and to big brother Brook and later became a big brother to Bowie. While Asher was short for "Ashley, Jr", Asher means "happy, and blessed", qualities he exuded throughout his life and shared with others.

Asher was full of life and lived it on his own terms. He loved adventure and travel. An epic trip to Machu Picchu in junior high further fostered his wanderlust and a sense of kinship with the natural world.

Asher was bright and well beyond his years, reading at a fifth grade level in kindergarten and completing two grades at once. Asher went for anything he was interested in, joining choir and the wrestling team, and pursuing anything he put his mind to.

He raised money for various causes and loved to travel. He spent the past two years traveling through Oregon and California until he settled in Santa Maria. He saw inequality in the world and selflessly sought to improve it through work with unhoused individuals and homeless animals. In 2016, he won a "Butterfly Grant", on the idea that all houseless individuals should be cared for and blessed (his application video is in our gallery). He won that grant and spent the next year dropping off snacks, water, socks and love notes to the local houseless community to remind them that he was a loving and kind neighbor and friend.

He truly loved all animals and found opportunities to spend time with them, and cherished his beloved cat Pyg, who he traveled with during his adventures.

When he was younger, he painted portraits of people's pets—portraits that owners discovered were quite representative of their pets, somehow bringing both the animal's appearance and personality to the canvas. Asher was a keen observer with a sharp wit—a trait that could be both hysterical and infuriating simultaneously for those around him.

His friends also knew well the depths of his generosity, as well as his sense of fun. He was a thoughtful and selfless friend who always had great advice to give and a smile that would light up a room.

In 2024, he started a job at Frontier Communications where he quickly excelled and built a community with his colleagues and friends, who became an invaluable part of his life.

Asher passed away December 24, 2024. He leaves a vast space behind that will be impossible to fill.