Lance Michael Nussbaum of Layton, Utah, passed away in his home on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Lance was born November 18, 1970, in Great Falls, Montana, to Myron “Mike” and Kaylee Nussbaum. Lance lived his life with integrity, a strong work ethic, and moral commitment. Above all, he loved and cherished family and friends. Lance was beloved and touched many lives.
Lance grew up in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in the Spring of 1989. He then enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman, earning degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Biomechanics. After graduating from MSU, he completed medical school at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois. After graduation, Lance was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force on July 8, 2003, when he pursued a career as a Flight Surgeon, specializing in high-altitude medicine. While serving in the Air Force, Lance was stationed in Japan and Germany, as well as stateside: Beale, Wright-Patterson, and Hill Air Force Bases. Lance rose steadily through the ranks and retired as a Colonel on April 30, 2025.
He met the love of his life, Natcha, in San Francisco, and they were married in Nice, California, on May 2, 2010. Natcha said, “Yes,” even after his well-planned proposal went awry. They celebrated their vows in Pattaya, Thailand, on December 10, 2011. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Germany, where their two boys, Keegan and Kaeden, were born.
Lance’s favorite hobby was traveling the world. This wanderlust was likely acquired in his childhood while traveling to Ohio in the back of the “brown station wagon.” He has plenty of travel adventures to share, like the time Natcha landed in Shanghai and Lance was in Beijing, or bungee jumping off a bridge in Australia. Lance loved having a beer with the Brits and visiting the temples in Thailand. He had 13 deployments and was stationed on every continent throughout his military service. Each road trip began with a large bag of David's sunflower seeds, a list of friends or family, and sightseeing opportunities.
Lance was a great storyteller, with his sincere and charming way of including those around him. He would share college escapades about driving used cars back and forth to school, recovering his stolen bike, or being held up at gunpoint while working at a movie theater. His travels provided an endless array of tales. Most of his storytelling included several funny anecdotes, combining his good sense of humor and quick wit.
He was the best of friends. He would entice friends over to decorate Christmas cookies, a family holiday tradition, and each friend would leave with a plate filled with cookies. He would be the first to arrive with tools in hand if you had a project, and he could always be counted on to lend an ear and offer support. He was steadfast, reliable, and fun.
Lance was most passionate about family: it was in his core. He was a great provider and made sure Natcha and the boys always had the best. He was excited to become a father and loved being a dad. He loved sharing the world with the boys, especially all their first-time experiences. He loved story time, making gingerbread houses, tooth fairy visits, and family vacations. He made every attempt to visit family on vacation or drop in as he was passing through. He was there when his loved ones needed support, a travel companion, or just time catching up.
In early 2017, Lance was diagnosed with colon cancer. Throughout this fight, he maintained a positive outlook. Even in the most difficult of times, Lance made the effort to show up each dinner to be with family and attend celebrations such as an Easter Egg Hunt or visiting Santa.
Lance was an optimist. “It’s fine” was a catch phrase he used often. When we would be concerned about something, he would often say, “It’s fine.” If the BBQ chicken was a little crispy, “It’s fine.” If you had a scrape or a fever, “It’s fine.” Taking his advice moving forward, hopefully his friends and family will be “fine”, which is what Lance would want.
Lance is survived by his wife, Natcha Nussbaum, and his two sons, Keegan and Kaeden, his father and mother, Mike and Kaylee Nussbaum, his brothers Lane and Lindsey, and his sister, Lisa, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws who will forever cherish his memory.
Lance was predeceased by his grandparents: Frank and Tracy Heck, Ivan and Estella Nussbaum, and his aunt, Linda (Heck) Sunderland.
Funeral services will be held Saturday August 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday August 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the mortuary.
The service will be live-streamed and and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Lance's obituary page at www.lindquistmortuary.com
Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary
Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary
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