Douglas Michael Ostling

passed away under tragic circumstances on October 26, 2010, at the age of 43. Doug was born on September 13, 1967 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Even as a young boy, his amazing use of words, quick learning abilities and sharp intellect were already present. He was active in Cub Scouts and soccer during his youth. He loved his motorcross bike and would spend his afternoons riding around the family property with his friends.Doug attended Bainbridge schools and graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1985. In his senior year of high school, he interned at Honeywell International Inc. During college, he worked at the Port Townsend Paper Mill in the Mechanical Engineering Department. A talented artist, his artwork was featured as a large wall mural in the Harborview Hospital Emergency Waiting Room, starting in 1986. He enjoyed writing poetry and published his own book of poems while in college. He graduated from Washington State University in 1993.During high school and college, Doug owned and operated the successful Bainbridge Bicycle Repair for several years. He designed and built street and velodrome racing bicycles for himself and other bike racers. A gifted athlete, he raced in street and velodrome races, and was known for his daily bike rides in which he would travel over 100 miles. In 1988, his photo was featured in the Winning Bicycle Racing Illustrated after falling head first into a mud pit in an off-road bike race. After college, Doug returned to Bainbridge Island, which was a place he greatly loved. He lived for four years in Los Angeles, where he always made the best out of the worst, before returning home in 2005. For the last five years, he had been very involved with his family and was an integral part of all of their lives. He had a special connection with animals and was consistently the favorite of the family dog.Always the adventurer, his interest in flying and space compelled him to take flying lessons. Over the last several years, he renewed his interest in these areas and studied aircraft and space passionately. He loved art, theater, writing, walking, hiking, spending time with his family and watching movies. He was an avid bicycle rider and enjoyed the outdoors. Every Friday he filled the family home with the smells of his home-made bread.In September, Doug celebrated his 43rd birthday with a grand weeklong celebration in Washington, DC with his family. His life was tragically cut short through an unfortunate series of events, in which all of his immediate family members were present. It is the family's deepest hope and prayer that no other family will have to experience such a heartbreaking tragedy and loss.Although mental illness was a struggle for him for many years, he was more than his illness. He will be remembered for his creativity, enthusiasm, love and thoughtfulness. His family, who fought so valiantly to protect and nurture him throughout his life, will greatly miss the joy he brought to their lives. His family is especially thankful for the time that they had with him and the unending love that he gave to them in his own special way.He is survived by his mother and father, Bill and Joyce Ostling; his sisters Kimberly Cox and Tami Ostling; brother-in-law Tom Cox; and numerous family members and family friends. The Ostling family is thankful for the members of the community who extended friendship, understanding and compassion to Doug over the years. The family is also grateful to those who accept and treat the mentally ill with dignity and respect, in every thought, word and deed.A celebration of life ceremony for Doug will be held at Island Church on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations in Doug's memory be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kitsap County, an organization that works to improve the quality of life for all those affected by mental illness and advocate on their behalf. Donations can be made by mail to NAMI Kitsap County, P.O. Box 2343, Bremerton, Washington 98310. Please contact 360-405-6212 for additional information about NAMI's work in Kitsap County.