Yesterday the search community got the gut wrenching news that Jordan Kasteler has passed away. Everyone was floored, shocked, saddened, and deeply upset by the news. Jordan Kasteler has been part of our industry since he was a kid, young adult. He has been a fixture at so many search conferences, so many local meet ups, so many online forums, video hangouts and so much more. But he is no longer with us today - he is in a better place.
Jordan Kasteler has given so much of his life to the search community. Besides for the countless articles he has written at Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, on his professional site, and so many niche SEM blogs. He was always someone who smiled and made his colleagues laugh. As I browse through Facebook, I see photo after photo of Jordan smiling with his friends, making his colleagues laugh through fun acts and embracing someone who needs to be listened to.
His personal feed is not just filled with SEM advice and tips but also his passion to protect animals and support animal rights. Just last week, I saw he updated his Facebook profile that he started to work freelance again. It is shocking news to me and to the community of his passing.
The community has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral expenses for the family and also to help support his family and young son Jax. Please give what you can and spread the word to give.
I asked some folks to share their thoughts of Jordan, here are some of those:
Mark Jackson from Vizion Interactive:
I am shocked. Jordan was only employed at Vizion Interactive for a short period. He was one of the brightest minds in our Industry. And, even though he quit after only 9 months (he’s very independent), we remained friends. I was close with him when he learned that he was becoming a father. His son meant everything to him. I’m at a total loss and feel absolutely sick. Our Industry was better with him in it.
Ross Dunn from StepForth:
Every time I had the good fortune to see Jordan throughout the years he was smiling, warm, and always made a point to say hi. I fondly remember meeting a glowing Jordan and his beautiful new bride in the midst of his honeymoon for drinks with some colleagues. We later connected on our shared love of animals. The SEO industry is diminished in his passing. My heart goes out to his family and his boy Jax.
Keith L. Goode from IBM:
I've spent the day reading remembrances of Jordan Kasteler, and every one sounds like mine. He was charming, friendly, warm and loving, and he was, I think more importantly, consistent in being that way to everyone he met. I've known Jordan for several years now, and I look forward to seeing him each year at Pubcon, where we generally are most likely to cross paths. He has always greeted me with a warm smile and a big hug. I'll miss that this year and every year going forward. Rest in peace, buddy.
Jim Hedger from Digital Always Media:
Knowing people like Jordan Kasteler are around makes the mayhem and craziness of life on Earth more bearable. Jordan was a good person. He was genuinely nice. He genuinely cared about other living things, all other living things. Jordan was one of the few people who understood life on a barricade as well as he understood how the Web works and I really appreciated that about him. If you had a problem he's probably one of the people who helped you solve it. He was smart and lived his convictions. If you ask anyone he'd known about him, they would always use the word "friend". If you ever ask me about Jordan I'll say the same. Jordan Kasteler was a great person to know. He was a great person. He'll be greatly missed. He was a friend.
Chris Silver Smith from Argent Media:
I crossed paths and spoke with with Jordan Kasteler so many times over the years, and we sometimes traded clients back and forth.Jordan was always someone I respected and admired. Not only his online marketing abilities, but his dedication to social consciousness. I often communicated and shared with him about our mutual enjoyment of veganism.
He will be missed - we need more people like him in this world.
Shelly Fagin from Highly Searched:
Everyone will probably mention just how great Jordan’s smile was, it was truly infectious and will no doubt be the way I’ll remember him. He was such a fun person to be around and I have some incredibly fun conference memories with Jordan that I’ll forever cherish. Aside from all the fun, Jordan was also such a brilliant SEO contributing so much to our industry over the years. For that, I’ll forever be grateful. The Search community lost a wonderful member of our family today, Jordan you will be terribly missed.
Eric Enge from Stone Temple:
I’m just stunned by this news. Something sudden like this shakes you to the core, especially when it involves a person as caring, open and friendly as Jordan. I have nothing but positive interactions with him. My condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed!.
Like I said, the community is deeply sad by the news. In fact, we have lost many people in our industry before but I don't believe I have ever seen the industry so shaken up from a passing as much as this one. And for good reason, as I said above, he was so tight and close with so many of us. Plus, his young age and young family just makes the news so much harder.
Here are some posts on Twitter from just some of the folks in our industry, I am sure I missed many of you, the posts are so overwhelming, I couldn't find them all:
Our industry lost a good one over the wknd. Heartbroken. RIP @JordanKasteler His contributions to the industry @sengineland @Marketingland were huge, he was a dearly loved speaker & the idea for @SLCSEM #UtahDMC was originally born at a lunch he & I had. He will be missed by many pic.twitter.com/DkR20FVHI5
— Elisabeth Osmeloski (@elisabethos) July 23, 2018
Now I can't even focus on work. The sadness is overwhelming. Another one of the best in the industry, another heart & soul human I was grateful to know. Gone. Gone. I hate this world sometimes. Hate how the good ones are too often gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/4PttomkYv0
— Alan Bleiweiss (@AlanBleiweiss) July 23, 2018
@JordanKasteler hey brother, I heard the news :( I'll always love and support you. Till we meet again!
— AJ Wilcox (@wilcoxaj) July 22, 2018
Was just informed that fellow SEO @JordanKasteler lost his life on 7/21. Details are still pending. Jordan was a great, great site auditor and well-known on the conference speaking circuit. My sincere sympathies and best wishes to his family. Damn.
— Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) July 23, 2018
I'm shocked to hear this. I worked with @JordanKasteler for a while at @vizionweb, then had the pleasure to work with him again over the last several months. What a great SEO, friend, and great guy Jordan was. He will be truly missed.
— Bill Hartzer (@bhartzer) July 23, 2018
I've been trying to work all day, but it is so hard to focus & simultaneously lament the sadness for everything about the loss of @JordanKasteler. We've lost so many great people in our industry this year-It breaks my heart. You are so right @armondhammer Beautiful story -Thanks. https://t.co/7EQyVKaHQs
— Cindy Krum (@Suzzicks) July 23, 2018
My head says work but my heart and welling eyes say its time for a personal twitter thread on suicide and more. (1/x)
— Steve Hammer (@armondhammer) July 23, 2018
Oh no. This is really terrible to hear.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) July 23, 2018
@JordanKasteler Rest In Peace. My heart is broken for your family. Gone too soon. 🙏🏼
— 🦊 JO FOXX (@tickleapony) July 23, 2018
Conviction. Loyalty. Heart. Vision. Purpose.
— James P (@JazzInJersey) July 22, 2018
There are few like Jordan Kasteler. The world lost a good man yesterday and I lost a brother. https://t.co/xjtEIWZYJz
Just heard the news about @JordanKasteler and man, that one hurts. What a great guy he was.
— John Doherty 🤓 (@dohertyjf) July 23, 2018
You will be missed, my friend.
I’ve had quite a few amazing conversations today. Turns out 14 years in an industry that just suffered a big human loss brings out good things. “Gone but not forgotten, homes I still feel ya.” RIP @JordanKasteler https://t.co/VbU6T4Xegc
— Kenny Hyder (@kennyhyder) July 24, 2018
Rest in Peace @JordanKasteler #UtahSEOPro. Friend and former business partner. Went through the good times and the bad. Sucks that it ended like this. pic.twitter.com/hFlKImq4Vp
— lorenbaker (@lorenbaker) July 23, 2018
RIP @JordanKasteler - you will be missed. Had some wonderful times with you and @davesnyder either cooking up ideas or having a blast at a conference.
— Martin Bowling (@martinbowling) July 23, 2018
So sad, RIP my friend @JordanKasteler, peace to all bereaved, G_d has a better marketing team, again. ♥️😭 pic.twitter.com/RJJNMfTdFF
— martyweintraub (@martyweintraub) July 23, 2018
Can't even think of the words to say or the thoughts to think. One of my first friends in the industry and always so fun to hang around. And smart. And helpful -- so freaking helpful and generous with his time and knowledge. You're already missed, Jordan. https://t.co/PfwqhW7LKy
— Matt McGee (@mattmcgee) July 23, 2018
So my heart is crushed. I loved @JordanKasteler. I have no words just endless tears.
— Melissa Fach (@SEOAware) July 23, 2018
Beyond heartbroken. Not only was he talented and generous professionally, but passionate about what he believed in. And downright hilarious. We'll miss you @JordanKasteler - RIP. 😢 https://t.co/xL2nSs6Gva
— Monica Wright (@monicawright) July 23, 2018
RIP @jordankasteler. I’ll always remember the good times, you and the rest of the SLC crew really got me into the music scene. It’s sad to see someone I grew up with feel the need to take his own life, please know none of you are alone- Suicide prevention hotline:1-800-273-8255
— Ryan Seaman (@ryanseaman) July 22, 2018
From someone who’s lost two people last year to suicide and has been on suicide watch themselves.
— Raven Hadley Fowler (@raven_hadley) July 23, 2018
Sometimes help doesn’t help, it’s upsetting and sad. Yes
But selfish of us to keep them here when they feel it doesn’t get better. That eating is an effort, breathing is an effort.
Learning that @JordanKasteler passed away. RIP Jordan. You will be missed.
— Ryan Jones (@RyanJones) July 23, 2018
Reminder to everyone else - reach out to those you haven't heard from in a while.
Here is the public post from Jordan's sister:
His sister set up a meal train to cook for the family for a bit and don't forget these is this GoFundMe.
Jordan - as you can see from just a sampling of the public community tweets, you will be so so deeply missed.
Forum discussion at Twitter.
