This obituary was written by Nathan’s family with a lot of love and care. Their words truly reflect who he was and the special place he held in their hearts, making it a meaningful and personal tribute to his life.
Nathan John Omland (02/15/1977 – 01/28/2026)
How do you sum up the life of a man like Nathan in just a few paragraphs? If you knew him, you know that words will never be enough. Nathan may not have made it to his 49th birthday, but he lived his life in such a way that he filled shoes like no one else could – even if they had ten lifetimes to do so.
Nathan John Omland, a native of Cobleskill NY, passed away on January 28th, 2026, age 48, as a resident of Russellville, Alabama. Throughout his life he learned many trades through both experience and education. He began with things like flooring, broadcasting, video production, and business management – later becoming a degreed Physical Geographer (UF,Gainesville, FL); but what mattered to him most in the world was humanity. This led to his final and most cherished career as an ESL Professor, and founder of Beyond Hello English Language School, with a mission to bridge cultures through one common tongue.
His most notable accomplishment – a Ph.D. in Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, and Friend. Nathan may have been a homebody, but he connected with people deeply near and far. He was fiercely loyal, steady, and quietly strong. He carried himself with integrity, humor, and an unwavering sense of responsibility to those that he loved no matter what he may have been going through in his own life – and when he spoke, people listened.
As a husband and father, he didn’t need an audience to perform above grade. He was deeply devoted, affectionate, playful, and present. He showed his wife that she was chosen every single day through love, respect, and attentiveness. As an active father of five daughters, he set a high standard of what love, respect, and consistency should look like in a life partner – a standard that will follow them throughout their lives. He encouraged them to be bold, dream big, and remain unapologetically genuine.
In keeping with who he was, there will be no public service or formal gathering, but those of us he left behind will loudly ensure his values and presence remain everlasting. His life mattered, and his impact on the world and those around him will reverberate for generations yet to come.
His legacy continues earthside with his wife, Barbara Michelle Seijas-Omland, his five daughters and son-in-law, Hailey (Seth Rice), Sascha, Micah, Tesla, and Zelda; His brothers, by blood: Jack & Dan, by marriage: Adam & Jeremy, and by choice: Jamie, Joe, Doug, Anthony, and Brendan; His mentors: Uncle Johnnie E. Omland, Robert Bobicz, Marsha Grant, Uncle John Tedesco; his Cousins: Sarah Tedesco, Darin (Dawn) Lory, Tish Lory; his Goddaughter Mel and her mother Ray, and extended family: the Seijas brothers, various Great Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins in Norway, and a plethora of students around the world. Those who remain now carry his voice, his lessons, and the imprint of his kindness
Now he stands among those who came before him – his father Arnold Omland; his father-in-law Antonio Seijas; his grandparents, Astrid and Jacob Omland; and his grandson, Zayne Orion Rice. In life, Nathan devoted himself to caring for others and bringing people together. In death that circle is now complete – three generations held together in love, care, and presence – Beyond Life and into whatever comes next.