Ira Briscoe loved his young friends and wanted all the best for them.

On August 14, 2004, Ira died from injuries received during an accident while with his parents, David and Cynthia, at The Kushi Macrobiotic Summer Conference in Vermont.

At the young age of 18, Ira was already known as a true human being who was sought by his friends for advice on life, who inspired them to finish high school, and who was appreciated as a genuine friend who could be turned to in times of heartache or trouble without fear of betrayal or judgement.

One night during the Summer Conference, Ira told his mother, "I've never felt more alive in my life." He loved the new macrobiotic adventure he had found for himself, and he was looking forward to starting a campus macrobiotic program upon his return to California and his first year at California State University-Chico. Ira was always sharing his bounding enthusiasm for macrobiotics with his young friends, loaning them his books, inviting them for meals, and discussing with them his views on life and freedom that were transforming through his study of George Ohsawa's writings and the writings of many others, including Henry David Thoreau.

Ira's generous spirit of hope for humanity inspires and energizes all that we do at Macrobiotics America.

For the extraordinary blessing of his 18 yrs with us we are truly grateful. In his soaring life of the spirit now, we cheer him on, our eyes wide with wonder at the beauty that is forever Ira.

"May all beings be healthy and happy."

The Briscoes:  David, Cynthia, Justin, Nora, Iris, Ana and Rio