Riley Ashton, who grew up in Port Lincoln, remembered by family and friends after tragic asthma attack

Many flocked to social media to remember the inspiring 36-year-old who grew up in Port Lincoln and “left an invaluable footprint on the world”.

Riley Ashton with his father Brian and mother Kathy. Picture: Supplied

Riley Ashton, a keen environmentalist and passionate teacher, will “live on the thousands of trees he has planted” after he died suddenly from an asthma attack late last month.

The 36-year-old former Port Lincoln teacher, who had moved to Fremantle, couldn’t be saved by friends or paramedics after suffering the attack.

“We loved him greatly but are now understanding how many others did too,” his father, Brian Ashton wrote of his son on Facebook.

“He made a very positive mark on the world and those around him.”

Riley not only a high school teacher but an avid activist who championed causes he felt passionate about, protesting nuclear waste dumps in Flinders Ranges and standing up for Aboriginal causes.

“You taught us so much Riley, as a son, brother, uncle, friend, activist and teacher.”

Riley Ashton, a 36-year-old who died from an asthma attack in Perth, is remembered as a "character who embraced life and nature". Picture: Facebook

Many flocked to social media to remember the “inspiring” man who “embraced life and nature” and “left an invaluable footprint on the world”.

Heather Selah-Mckenzie remembers how Riley attended her late son Kerwin’s funeral who died in 2016.

“He was a friend of my late son … Riley will always be remembered and loved and we appreciate his kindness and support when we fought against a nuclear waste dump at Wallerberdina on the edge of the Flinders Ranges.

“Sleep peacefully dear Riley you did a lot in your life, standing for the environment and supporting Aboriginal people against mining, nuclear dumps etc throughout Australia,” she wrote on Facebook.

With “a whole school in mourning”, both parents and students who Riley taught have come forward to remember the late teacher who taught at Armadale Senior High School in Western Australia.

A former student of Riley, Kavlin Coe posted to Facebook to send his condolences.

“He was an amazing teacher and treated us with respect and kindness — I will miss him.”

While Ceejay Jewel’s son, another former student of Riley, remembers his teacher’s final words to him.

“My son is grateful to have a very positive and friendly final conversation with Mr Ashton, where Mr Ashton congratulated him on his progress and offered him words of encouragement to keep going.

“His final email to us was also positive words and I know my son will cherish that,” she wrote.

“He was obviously a very treasured teacher and member of staff.”

Nicci Wright’s daughter will hold on to the memory of the musical band they never had the chance to start together.

“They shared the same love for music and would often engage in long conversations about different bands and how they made them feel.

“My daughter is extremely sad about his passing,” she wrote.

Riley’s colleague, Julie Stack-Horgan shared an office with him at the high school.

“I was in a lot of his classes which I thoroughly enjoyed and we would talk about lots of things including the great outdoors, Irish music and travelling,” she commented on Mr Ashton’s Facebook post.

A former student of Riley Ashton remembers his late teacher as someone who always treated him with respect. Picture: Facebook

Riley Ashton, a 36-year-old who died from an asthma attack in Perth, is remembered as a "character who embraced life and nature". Picture: Facebook

Friends who remember Riley’s sense of humour are “still in denial”.

“Hoping this is just a Riley prank and he will come around the corner smirking,” friend, Tina Behnke wrote.

Riley’s friend Sarvari Mohammad still remembers their jokes in “the art room”.

While Cazz Bah will always remember when Riley took him orienteering in Port Lincoln and “all the other adventures”.

“A smile that could light up a room,” they wrote.

Friend, Richard Smith said Riley possessed “a keen intelligence, a wonderful sense of humour and most, importantly, a vigorous empathy for humans”.

While Vivianne McKenzie remembers when Riley stood by her side fighting against the waste dump proposal at Wallerberdina at the Flinders Ranges.

“Riley was champion a friend who loved and cared for the environment and stood with Aboriginal peoples against the government and mining companies causing desecration on their Heritage Sites,” she wrote.

“We will miss and will cherish your kindness and love forever.”

Riley was born on April 11, 1986 and he died at 36-years-old on November 20, 2022.

He is survived by his parents Brian and Kathy Ashton, and family Larissa, Tristan, Luca and Poppy.