Natman Schaye

February 15, 1957 - January 28, 2022

Natman Schaye, age 64, died in Revelstoke, British Columbia, on January 28, 2022, in a skiing accident. Natman was born February 15, 1957, in Freeport, Illinois, to Abe (“Nony”) and Dorothy (Levin) Schaye. Natman lived a life full of purpose, adventure, and joy. Natman practiced law in Arizona, where he was Senior Capital Trial Counsel at the Arizona Capital Representation Project. He received his law degree from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law in 1981. He had a distinguished career representing people accused of crime and working courageously to end the death penalty. His colleagues describe him as a “fierce, skilled, and relentless advocate” and a “generous and talented mentor to defense attorneys across the country.” Natman practiced law with deep compassion for those impacted by crime and injustice and wrote elegantly and persuasively about the harms of capital punishment. Natman loved the mountains—skiing, backpacking, and fishing throughout the Rocky Mountains. He had a soft spot for rescue dogs and whiskey, and he enjoyed writing music and playing guitar. Natman was an excellent cook who frequently hosted friends and family at his Tucson home to enjoy cocktails, food, sporting events, and fireworks. He was a rabid University of Arizona fan and an epic trash talker whose antics will be missed at the Ice Cats games. Those who love and admire Natman will remember his generosity, humility, compassion, wry smile, sharp wit, and deep resonate voice. Natman is survived by his wife Jody Sundt and step-children Emilia and James Barger; siblings Mark Schaye, Roseann Schaye and her husband Reg Glos, Susan Schaid and her husband Terry, and Candy Mehta; and many other loving family members and friends. Natman is preceded in death by his mother and father, his step-mother Betty Schaye, sister Deena Faro, uncle Henry Schaye, and aunt Mata Schaye. A memorial gathering will begin at 9am and a memorial service will be held at 9:30am, Saturday, February 12th, 2022 at Evergreen Mortuary, Cemetery & Crematory, 3015 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705. The service will also be livestreamed, information will be posted below. A celebration of life will be held at a date and time to be determined. Memories and donations to Natman’s charities of choice may be shared at https://www.gatheringus.com/memorial/natman-schaye/8653 Additional loving family members include nieces and nephews Alison and TJ (Kelsey) Schaid, Emily (Bobby) Giannini, and Nikhil (Kristen) Mehta; first cousins Barry, Fred (Adrienne), and Neil Schaye and their children Joshua, Ben, Anna, Stephanie (Barry) Strenger, Jeremy (Yazzi) and Jenny (Max) Robbins; first cousins Marcene Schwarz, Melvin (Maureen) DeMatoff; and great nieces and nephews Mila, Owen, and Ella Mehta and Monroe Perepell. Please click the following link to join: https://www.econdolence.com/join-viewneral?jc=10000:hkvjtVaBJCrsVb4FUFQVvMJEqzcijFRq:PA51SsDJudJG8EjScl1x6Q==:bAqoic/vYg37tVNwu6IgNA== Viewneral ID: 978 3037 2565 Password: 419793 Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16692192599,,97830372565# or +16465189805,,97830372565# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 219 2599 or +1 646 518 9805 Webinar ID: 978 3037 2565 International numbers may be available: https://viewneral.zoom.us/u/aYpWCerIm