Ned Alma Israelsen

Ned Alma Israelsen, 71, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family in Escondido, California. He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia Saunders Israelsen, and his four children Stanford Thomas Israelsen, Lisa Israelsen Barry, Kurt Alan Israelsen, and Paul Edward Israelsen. He is a grandfather to sixteen grandchildren with one on the way.

Ned was born in Logan, Utah to Lyle E. and Marianna “Nancy” Israelsen. He was the sixth of twelve children and loved his siblings dearly. As a young boy, Ned learned hard work on the family farm, developed wide and varied interests with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and grew to love everything about the great outdoors.

He graduated from Sky View High School as Valedictorian, National Merit Scholar and National Honor Society member. He received the University Club full ride scholarship to Utah State University. There in 3 years he received a BS in Chemistry and Biochemistry Magna Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi, received the Sigma Xi Research Fellowship and had a perfect GPA. He was named Outstanding Student of both the College of Science and Department of Chemistry and received a national Fulbright Scholarship for graduate school. He attended George Washington University Law School where he received one of only 3 Trustee Scholarships and graduated with high honors and Order of the Coif honor society.

He served a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago Illinois from 1974-76 and remained a devoted member his entire life. His later church service included Sunday School teacher, Elder’s Quorum President, bishopric member, temple worker, and high counselor. His biggest impact was made in spending 29 years working with and mentoring young men in the Church.

During his first year at Utah State University, Ned met a beautiful young woman named Cynthia Saunders in chemistry class. Soon after completing his church mission, Ned proposed to Cynthia and on January 13th, 1977, Ned and Cynthia were married for time and all eternity in the Ogden, Utah Temple. Ned was a kind, devoted, and faithful husband throughout his life.

Ned joined the firm of Knobbe, Martens, Olsen and Bear in 1983, working as a patent attorney focused primarily on biotechnology until retiring in 2016. He assisted and advised many clients through the path of protecting and bringing to market medications, devices and products that have blessed the lives of millions of people. He was the director of the San Diego branch of the firm and built what became a center for biotechnology patent law. He authored numerous academic papers, spoke at meetings and symposia and was an adjunct professor at 3 different law schools. He was a widely recognized leader in his field, received many accolades and professional recognitions but was best remembered for his individual impact. One of his long-time partners described him as follows: “Ned was universally loved by our attorneys in San Diego for his ability to kindly and expertly teach, guide and supervise them through all of their diverse, challenging assignments, and for his personal interest in their growth and happiness in the firm. He was a Renaissance man, and a wonderful, kind, quiet, wise intellectual giant.”

Ned became increasingly involved in the San Diego biotechnology startup sector. He was a long-term member of Tech Coast Angels (an angel investing group financing start-ups). He founded and directed Ionium Capital, a small biotech-focused venture capital firm. He co-founded and served as President of Actavalon Pharmaceuticals which developed cancer drugs. He co-founded CardioCreate which developed a treatment for heart failure. He co-founded Kalyra Pharmaceuticals which spun off Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, currently nearing FDA approval of a widely-effective new cancer treatment. At the time of his death he was co-manager of a new company he founded developing non-addictive pain medication.

Ned’s life-long hobbies and interests included Boy Scouts, camping, hiking, gardening, photography, paragliding, welding, 3D printing, electronics, computers, mechanics, construction of all types, sewing, solar power, trees, reading, teaching, and baking.

Ned was a loving, patient, and dedicated father. His children viewed him as their hero and as the one who knew everything and could fix anything. Teaching by example was Ned’s primary parenting technique. Through this means, his children learned innumerable valuable life lessons including how to be a disciple of Christ, how to treat your spouse, and how to show kindness, patience, and generosity. He included his children and grandchildren in his projects whenever he could, and tried to pass on as much knowledge as they could handle. He helped to raise numerous grandchildren in his own home and treated them as his own children.

Ned’s wit and sense of humor were legendary and ever-present throughout his life. Not only did he use these gifts to make his family laugh, but to help defuse tension and heal broken hearts up until his final day on Earth.

In 2023 Ned was diagnosed with cancer and over the next three years underwent a series of surgeries and treatments. Up until 2 months before his death he continued to hike, spend time with family and pursue his numerous other interests. He then experienced a mercifully quick decline and passed quietly surrounded by loved ones.

Ned’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all those who knew him. He was a quiet and humble man despite his great gifts and accomplishments. He had a way of quietly meeting people’s needs without drawing attention to himself. He left an indelible impression on so many through his unassuming smile, peaceful demeanor, kindness, patience, generosity, compassion and wisdom. He consistently used his great blessings and gifts to in turn quietly bless others and in so doing left an enduring example for us to follow.

Services will be held in both Escondido, California, and North Logan, Utah.

Escondido, CA Service Details

Memorial Service

Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 10:30AM (PT)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2255 Felicita Rd, Escondido, CA

The service will also be broadcast at https://bit.ly/FelicitaBldg

Note: There will be no viewing preceding.

North Logan, UT Service Details

Viewing 

Saturday, August 29 | 9:00–10:00 a.m. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1850 N 400 E, North Logan, UT

Funeral Service

Saturday, August 29 | 10:30 a.m. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1850 N 400 E, North Logan, UT

Graveside Service 

North Logan Memorial Park 

Immediately following the funeral service

Luncheon 

Saturday, August 29 | 12:45 p.m. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1850 N 400 E, North Logan, UT

Flowers or cards may be sent to Cynthia Israelsen at 8881 Detwiler Rd., Escondido, CA 92029, or for the Utah service, to Lila Geddes at 586 East 1980 North, North Logan UT 84341.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.