Travis Ian Getzendaner Sept. 13, 1976 – Dec. 5, 2022

Travis Ian Getzendaner, 46, died of a heart attack on Monday, Dec. 5, in Fayetteville, Ark.

Travis was born in Eureka Springs on Sept. 13, 1976, and attended Eureka Springs High School where he played saxophone in the Highlander marching band.

He was an entrepreneur, art collector, car accumulator, Lego® Master, and meticulous room, space, and home designer. He raised healthy children and chickens.

Travis traveled around the world and loved Italy the most. He hated tomatoes and loved pickles. He delighted in Star Wars audio books and most musical genres.

He was up-to-date on current world affairs and saw through governmental smoke screens – he could explain his reasoning and offer proof. He simplified difficult subjects, like Elon Musk, in a deep and fair way.

He was terribly shy, yet he absorbed and remembered what people said. He had a Harrison Ford smile, that half-closed painful smile that always blew into laughter on his birthday.

He was a cannasseur of indica, sativa and ruderalis – he appreciated subtleties, could discriminate varieties, and recognized value. He knew if plants had been grown next to basil.

Travis employed and took care of people. He was clear about what he expected and rewarded good work. He was loyal and reliable, and considered his friends as family.

Travis was born to Robert Getzendaner and Kathleen Field, both deceased, and was like a son to Danny Wheeler, also deceased. He is survived by children Ian, Kylee, Scarlet Isabella and Emma Getzendaner; younger brother Shelby Field and his wife, Latasha; nephews Trevor and Kai Field; and those he loved as family, Meagan Chipouras, Debbie Wheeler, Jason Jarrard, Danelle Wheeler and Luke Muller; Wes and Jeab Abshire; and the Ben and Jessica Hill family.

There are more. If Travis were still here, he could fill a lined tablet with names of those he loved and knew loved him back.

Travis’s life might have been the right length for him, but it was too short for the rest of us.

There will be a memorial celebration on Sunday, Dec.11, 2 p.m., at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center Oak Room. Friends and family are welcome.