Nathan “Nate” Nygaard (Missoula ’65)
Posted: February 02, 2026
Nate was born on March 24, 1945, to Alvin and Norma Nygaard in rural Sharon, ND, and grew up on a farm nearby. He passed away on January 23, 2026, in Kalispell, MT, at age 80.
A 1963 graduate of Sharon HS, he received a degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota in 1968.
While in college, he trained in Montana to become a smokejumper. He jumped at Missoula (1965-1966) and Grangeville (1967). He was a Lifetime Member who always said he would return to Montana to retire.
Nate earned a master’s degree in accounting from Central Michigan University in 1977.
Nate served proudly as an Army officer from 1968 to 1988, working in the Medical Service Corps as a health services personnel manager (67F) and comptroller (67C). His tours included Hawaii, Vietnam, San Antonio, Germany, Fort Ord in California, and the Presidio in San Francisco.
He completed airborne training, the Inspector General course, and the Comptrollership course. His many recognitions included the Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Palm, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
Following his military service, Nate applied his knowledge and skills to health care management. For two decades, he excelled at navigating relationships between military and civilian health care organizations in California, Hawaii, Dubai, and New England. A highly regarded leader, he made an indelible impression on everyone he knew.
Nate’s consideration of others, his gentle demeanor, and his ability to engage with people distinguished him throughout his professional and personal life. He loved his family and friends, following UND hockey, traveling, woodworking, skiing, picking huckleberries, hunting, watching rodeos, and sipping wine.
In 2011, Nate returned to Montana and built his dream retirement home in the woods above Glen Lake near Eureka. That became his happy place. For the next ten years, Nate exhibited a zest for both adventure and tranquility, living life fully and enjoying the company of a large cadre of friends and family, including his three children, Kristi, Eric, and Brian. Nate enjoyed many social gatherings where he could provide the wine and regale family and friends with stories of his adventures.
