Virginia Father-To-Be Dies After On-The-Job Medical Emergency Weeks Before Baby’s Birth

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

Austin Robert Deak had just turned 23, was settling into married life, and was weeks away from meeting his son when everything changed in the span of a few minutes at a job site in Virginia.

The father-to-be collapsed at work on Monday, Nov. 17, weeks before the "country boy" who loved the outdoors was set to welcome his son to the world. 

"I am at a loss for words. Monday morning, I got a call that Austin had a medical emergency at work. Austin collapsed on the job site, and the reason is still unknown. I am in shock, as is the rest of his family and friends," wife Hayley Mayhugh Deak said.

“I would have never thought I would have lost my best friend, husband, and the father of our unborn son as life was just getting started for us,” she wrote. “At this time, my heart and world are shattered.”

She said Deak knew God, and she believes she’ll see him again one day. For now, she’s navigating a grief she describes as unbearable.

Their son already has a name — Waylon Austin Cash Deak — a final gift from a father who never got to hold him.

"Thank you for leaving me with a very big piece of you, our baby boy," his wife continued. "Thank you for giving me your last name and loving me unconditionally." 

Deak, who was a propane service technician for Foster Fuels, was described by his employer as professional and kind.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our colleague, Austin Deak. Austin was a valued member of our Propane Department and worked as a service technician in Rustburg," they posted. 

"His hard work, professionalism, and kindness touched everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. He will be greatly missed." 

“I couldn’t have wished for a better company for my husband to work for,” his wife wrote. “He absolutely loved working at Foster and loved what he did.”

Deak wasn’t the kind of man people forgot, his loved ones said. 

Even if you met him once, you remembered the country kid with the easy smile, big heart, and stories that somehow always ended with laughter. 

He never met a stranger, they said. He met future friends.

"Austin's heart belonged to the outdoors," his obituary reads. "He found his peace in the stillness of nature, bass fishing out on the water, deer hunting in the early morning woods, or climbing trees just to get a better view of the world he loved so much."  

"Being outside wasn’t just a hobby for him; it was where he was most himself."

Deak's mother-in-law, Martha Deel Mayhugh, said he “was an extraordinary husband, soon to be father, son, and son-in-law.”

“The outpouring of love… has been so heartwarming,” she said. “Our hearts are deeply broken.”

Another family member, Jamie Mayhugh, said that Deak "put an imprint on (her) heart.

"I will miss him so much," he wrote. "He was such a good son-in-law, husband, father, and friend. My heart is broken into a million pieces.”

Friends and relatives have stepped up in a big way. 

A memorial decal fundraiser will run through Friday, Nov. 28, with all proceeds supporting Hayley and Waylon. 

“Your purchase means more than just a decal,” the organizer wrote. “It’s a gesture of love, support, and community for a family facing unimaginable loss.”

The family also shared their official GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and long-term support as Hayley prepares to raise their son without her husband.

"Austin brought laughter everywhere he went with his stories, jokes, and fearless spirit," organizers wrote. "He was a devoted brother, a loyal friend, and deeply committed to his growing family. Every step he took was for his wife and their child on the way."

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Whitten Timberlake Chapel. A celebration of life will follow on Monday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m., led by Pastor Donnie Ennis.

"His passing has left a tremendous hole in the hearts of everyone who loved him," organizers wrote.

"As the family navigates this heartbreaking loss, we are asking for support with funeral expenses so they can focus on honoring Austin’s memory and giving him the farewell he deserves."