Nathaniel Belz

Nathaniel Belz, 70, died Thursday, March 30, 2023 with his family, neighbors, and friends around him after a five-month battle with cancer.

An elder at City Church of Asheville, he was also a gifted graphic designer and founder and publisher of the children’s magazine Explore! He served on the boards of Asheville Christian Academy and The Chalmers Center at Covenant College. He loved his family and community but loved God most of all.

Born in Iowa, he was the sixth of eight children, and worked in the family’s printing press business. As a teenager he ran 12-hour shifts at the radio station KNWS, and once sang the national anthem on air when he couldn’t find the official recording. He learned illustration through a correspondence class that included feedback on his drawings from artist Norman Rockwell. He went on to illustration and design work that included national publications and the first logo for Prison Fellowship in the 1980s.

His Christian faith became essential to him in his 20s in Washington, D.C. under the pastoring of Steve Smallman, Sr., at McLean Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Mindy moved to Asheville in 1984 to support his brother Joel Belz in children’s publications, the Presbyterian Journal, and later as the first designer for World, a national news magazine founded by Joel. He was generous with his money, humor, and friendship.

His parents Max and Jean Belz preceded him in death. Surviving Nathaniel are his cherished wife of 40 years, Mindy Belz; his four children Emily, Drew (Kate), Naomi (Scott), and Sara; his three grandchildren, Theo, Robin, and Millie; as well as his seven siblings and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Arden Presbyterian Church.

In memoriam donations can be made to Asheville Christian Academy.