What is Mac’s Team?
We all lost MacGregor “Mac” Scott Ehlen in a tragic accident on January 15th, 2020. Mac’s Team is a small way to harness his big hugs, wicked sense of humor and kind heart and throw more of that out into the world.
Mac wrote in a letter of support to a friend:
“Losses like this are truly the worst part of living on this earth, but I strongly feel that they provide an important opportunity to learn about ourselves and the compassion we give to others….As hard as the next few months and years will be, I know that all of you will be stronger and closer as a family despite the circumstances.”
We are trying, Mac.
For those who participate with Mac’s Team this may mean helping someone in need as a group, drinking a “Cuba Libre” while watching the sun set on the ocean or heading out to one of his favorite places. We put together this site because it will live on forever – just like Mac should have.
If each of us can live life like he did – even in the smallest way – we will all live in a better place.
Welcome to Mac’s Team.
Mac’s Story
Mac lived life with joie de vivre that was unrivaled and without apology.
We put together this site because this will live on forever – just like Mac should have.
This is his story.
Mac’s Roots
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Mac moved with his family back to Portland, Oregon at age two. He loved his family fiercely – his parents Scott and Carol, his two brothers Nick and Henry and then there is his sister Kate. Mac was especially protective and dedicated to her and so proud of her accomplishments throughout the years. He loved his brother Nick’s wife Katrine and was over the moon to become an uncle to his beloved niece Lilja. He loved his grandparents and uncles, boy did he love his uncles and they always returned the favor.
After attending Jesuit High School, Mac attended Santa Clara University and graduated from the University of Oregon. His hopes and ambitions knew no limits and anything he set his mind to he did wholeheartedly. As an undergrad, Mac pursued a pre-med degree, hoping to become a surgeon. When he was diagnosed with essential tremors, he shelved that idea and decided to follow a different path and new challenge, choosing to attend law school. Mac graduated from Lewis and Clark Law School in 2018.
Mac grew up traveling to Gearhart, Bend, and Hawaii with his family. It was during his childhood in Gearhart that he met his future fiancée Macie Leach, and her brother Willy. Those three were inseparable and their close friendships continued his entire life.
Mac In Love
Mac joined his lifelong friend and eventually love, Macie, in Washington, DC for the last two years of his life. They celebrated starting their life together by traveling to Blackfly Lodge in The Bahamas for saltwater fly fishing, New York, Tokyo and Kyoto.
He discovered Japan on a mother-son trip with his mom and brother Nick last February and loved it so much that he went back with Macie and Willy later last year.
Mac and Macie’s year and a half of romance and travel culminated in perhaps the most romantic engagement trip to Paris in December, where she said "YES", making Mac’s life complete and our hearts full. Mac and Macie were two halves of a whole and loved each other completely and unconditionally.
Mac Being Mac
Mac had a grand sense of humor and was a dedicated deliverer of inappropriate comments, cringe-worthy at times, but funny always. COVID and the 2020 election would have given him plenty to work with and we are heartbroken that the last year has passed without his levity.
Mac learned his love of food from his mom Carol, who is an outstanding cook. He would often join her and others for two-day cooking extravaganzas and would keep an organized list to check off of completed kitchen tasks (see Mac’s Loves). All that cooking = cleaning and all that cleaning meant DJ Mac was putting on music and making it fun! One of Mac’s all-time favorite songs was Danke Schoen, the Wayne Newton classic.
Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen
Thank you for seeing me again
Though we go on our separate ways
Still the memory stays for always
Yes, it does.
Please consider having an EDP’s (Emergency Dance Parties) in his honor.
Mac’s Big Heart
Mac was kind-hearted, thoughtful and compassionate. He found kindred souls from all ages and walks of life. His empathy knew no bounds when it came to family and those closest to him.
Please help us keep his spirit alive by joining Mac’s Team.