Owen George Hellwig

Owen George Hellwig, 20, of Tucson Arizona, left this world on June 13, 2026.

Owen was born in Houston, TX, on August 4, 2005. Shortly before his fourth birthday, he and his family moved to Bloomington, IN, where he would spend most of his all too short life. In 2021 he moved to southern Arizona to attend In Balance Academy boarding school. A highlight of his time there was a service trip to Nepal. He later lived in Tucson and was a student at Pima Community College where he excelled in his courses in anthropology and marine biology.

Owen was in love with the natural world. He was an avid fisherman, hiker, and spelunker. His knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert—the birds, bugs, amphibians, and reptiles—was encyclopedic. One of his favorite pastimes was going out herping with friends. He and his friends were vendors at reptile shows and assisted with removal of unwanted pests from neighbors’ property. He also enjoyed skateboarding, biking, and making music. He had a quick wit and an infectious laugh. Friends call him the funniest person they’ve ever met.

But Owen’s defining characteristic was his huge heart. People were naturally drawn to him. When friends were struggling, they reached out to him first. Drawing from his own lived experience, he helped countless individuals manage their struggles with mental health and substance use disorder. He organized support meetings and came to the aid of those in need. Owen touched more lives in his short time in this world than most do in far longer lives.

Owen is survived by his parents, Tana and Tim Hellwig, his sister, Claire Hellwig, his grandparents, Wayne Jertson, and David Hellwig and Maureen Welter, his aunts, uncles, and cousins, and friends near and far. Owen is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Marsha Jertson.

A sunset memorial was held on June 20 at Aqua Caliente Park in Tucson. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for August 14 from 5-8pm at the Waterfall Shelter at Lower Cascades Park in Bloomington, IN.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in Owen’s name.

"If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you."

A. A. Milne