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Kevin Robert Bontrager of Salem, OR died Oct. 28, 2020. He was 27. Kevin was born March 29, 1993 in Harrisonburg, VA to Robert and Beth (Gerig) Bontrager. An outdoor gathering was held Nov. 1 for friends and family in Kevin’s hometown of Corvallis, OR.
Kevin graduated from Western Mennonite High School (Salem, OR) in 2011. He joined a group of peers for a gap year program called Outtatown before starting college. During that formative year Kevin did a number of service projects throughout Canada and then traveled to South Africa for the remainder of the program. A highlight was meeting Desmond Tutu and being served communion by him.
In the Fall of 2012 Kevin attended Seattle Pacific University, completing two years before taking time off after his father, Bob, died in 2014. More recently he attended Western Oregon University and had one year left for his undergrad degree.
Kevin had many passions; he was an excellent writer and musician, and pursued both in college. He enjoyed working at Broadway Coffee in Salem, at the Bike Peddler assembling bikes, and delivering for Steel Bridge Coffee. He loved making music with friends and composing original songs. Kevin also loved adventure. In 2016 he and a friend traveled together for four months throughout Asia. Kevin was kind, compassionate, and intentional. He valued his friendships greatly.
Although Kevin had many gifts and talents, he struggled with depression and anxiety. He sought help but was unable to learn how to cope. Missing him deeply are his mother, Beth Bontrager (husband Tim Graber; Hurley, SD), brother Jesse (wife Betsy and children Felix and Abigail, Phoenix, AZ), sister Erin (Minneapolis, MN), and many extended family members.
Memorial gifts may be donated to NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness or AFSP: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
I’m so sorry for your family loss. Kevin was a dear friend of mine in high school. And sadly, we lost touch my second year of college. He was such a blessing and I loved hanging with him and Brandon outside of school. I will miss him dearly and so wish we hadn’t lost touch back then…I pray that God will help make the loss a little less painful over time for your family. And that you can think of all of the beautiful memories you shared with him during his time here on earth.
Kevin, thanks for trying to teach me the drums, no matter how much I couldn’t figure it out, and for trying to ask me to a banquet with POM juice. To this day, I share the story of how that all went down. I had the hugest crush on you! I wish I could have gone with you to the banquet... It would have been another great memory.
I look forward to the day I can say hi to you again!
I’m an SPU alumna, class of 1988. My sister who suffered from bipolar disorder ended her life December 17, 2018. May God transform tragedy for your family as He has been doing for ours, surprising you with hope in the coming years as only He can do. Grace and Peace to you.
Our prayers are with you.
Beth, Erin, Jesse and Betsy. and Tim. Saddened for the incredible loss of Kevin's life. Sending our deepest and heartfelt sympathy and our love. Thinking of you each. Praying God's spirit of comfort is evident to you in various ways.
We are deeply saddened by your loss. We wish all peace and comfort through this time.