Natan Huffman

Natan Huffman, 81, of Ithaca, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026, at Cayuga Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Natan was born July 29, 1945, in Washington, DC, son of the late George and Anna (Rykowski) Huffman. As a National Merit Scholar, he earned three undergraduate degrees in psychology, sociology, and political science from Dickinson College, which ultimately prepared him for a life defined by intellectual curiosity, service, and giving. After spending part of his professional life as an executive in Silicon Valley during the 1980s, he made the life-changing decision to relocate to Ithaca with his family in 1994. He and his wife Nancy, thereafter owned and operated Sadie D's Deli & Coffee Cafe in the Dewitt Mall for thirteen years, a gathering place beloved by locals.

Natan's time and passion in Tompkins County were substantially devoted to his duties in the emergency services, a calling inspired by and in commemoration of his son Joshua, who passed away tragically in a car accident in 2003. Natan achieved his certification as a paramedic, serving for several years with Dryden Ambulance, Inc. As a longtime member of the Varna Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., he dedicated countless hours to his community and was entrusted by the membership in his selection and service as Chief of Department.

A lifelong ham radio operator, as known by his call sign "W6XR," Natan treasured the camaraderie within the amateur radio community and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). He was, above all, a lifelong learner. His curiosity was limitless and he delighted in acquiring and sharing new knowledge with anyone who would listen. Learning was his way of moving through the world. That love of learning became one of the greatest gifts he gave his family. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to read, question, investigate, argue their ideas, and above all to always remain curious. His intellectual curiosity lives on in them, shaping the way they understand the world and their own places within it. His grandson Josh is training to be a volunteer firefighter; his granddaughter June is pursuing her education in film; and his daughter Rachel carries his love of learning in her own work as a professor and learning coach in the San Francisco Bay Area. His legacy of kindness and service lives on.

In addition to his wife, Nancy Beth (Krames) Huffman, of Ithaca, he is survived by his daughters Leigh Caroline Irwin, Rachel Anna Moore; grandson, Josh Moore, and granddaughter June Moore, and siblings George Huffman (Janet), of Scottsdale, AZ, Jennifer Futernick (Robert), Elliot Krames (Rosellen) and Lawrence Krames (Stephanie) of the San Francisco Bay Area.

His family will gather for a celebration of life in California during the coming weeks. There are no local services or calling hours. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, are graciously recommended to the Varna Volunteer Fire Company, 14 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (https://www.varnafire.org) and the U.S. Pain Foundation (https://uspainfoundation.org).

Arrangements are with the Shurtleff Funeral Home, Groton, and online condolences may be shared with Natan's family at www.shurtleffservices.com .

Natan Huffman truly made this world a better place.

"W6XR is now a silent key."