Mr. Nathaniel Mann III

Our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on January 7, 2026, just three months shy of his 99th birthday. He was someone special: a man who never stopped learning and who loved with his whole heart. Born in upstate New York, the only child of Isabelle Mann and Nathaniel Mann II, Nat grew up deeply attached to his books, a love that stuck with him his whole life. His love of learning took him to MIT during World War II, then to serve in post-war Europe, and eventually to Hamilton College. But here's the thing about Nat: he never stopped being a student. There was always another question to ask, another book to read, another idea to explore. Even into his 90s he was teaching himself to read books in German. He married Helen Paulson in 1952 and together they raised three children, Duncan, Ethan, and Lauren, crisscrossing the country as he pursued his passion for mathematics education. As a mathematics educator, Nat had a gift. He didn't just teach math; he made students fall in love with it. Whether he was leading a department, coordinating curriculum, or traveling to India in 1967 to work with teachers in Bhopal, his mission never wavered: make learning accessible, make it exciting, help every student see what they're capable of. After Helen passed, he married Dorothy (Nana Dot) in 1974. They eventually settled in Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1982 to join the United World College community. For over forty years, they were devoted partners in everything. They spent a year in Switzerland when Nat traded jobs with a teacher in Geneva. They loved baking together, being outside to hike or cross-country ski, and they opened their doors to international students studying at UWC. We remember them for always enjoying their quiet afternoon tea, watching the hummingbirds come to the feeder right outside their window, and despite Nat’s healthy eating habits, he never skipped dessert, especially if it was ice cream or pie. Nat was a great gardener and cook. His granola was legendary, and he made really good crackers. But what really defined Nat was his quiet, steady love. He'd send you an email out of the blue sharing an article he thought you'd enjoy, a piece of family history he'd uncovered, something beautiful he wanted you to see. Those emails were just one way he shared what he loved. He spent years researching genealogy like his grandfather Conklin Mann, creating extensive family history books so everyone would know where they came from. Even in his nineties, he was writing his memoirs, giving us his memories to share with more family. As the family grew with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so did his joy. Nat is survived by his children Duncan RyanMann (Sherri), Ethan Mann (Jane), Lauren Mann Baez (Johnny), Paul Fraser (Karen) and Lindsley Silagi (Lon); 11 grandchildren, Peter, Julianne, Nabil, Emily, Leslie, Ethan, Rosalyn, Elizabeth, Justin, Laurel and Liam; 14 great-grandchildren, Joy, Malia, Sophia, Analissa, Logan, Lina, Justin, Rae, Teddy, Tess, Madeline, Charlotte, Nat, Phoebe and countless former students whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Paulson Mann and his second wife, Dorothy Billin Mann. He lived nearly a century, and he lived it thoroughly. Always learning, always teaching, always loving. We were so lucky to have him. Funeral Notice: There will be a memorial gathering for Nat in Ballston Spa, New York sometime this summer. If you wish to make a contribution in Nat’s honor, please sent it to UWC-USA, Advancement Office, PO Box 248, Montezuma, NM 87731

Mr. Nathaniel Mann III

April 8, 1927 - January 7, 2026