A Bright and Irreplaceable Spirit
It is with great sorrow the Kaloupek family announces the passing of their beloved Naish. William Naish Kaloupek passed away on March 15, 2026, after a courageous 18-month battle with RMS (Rhabdomyosarcoma) — a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. He was born on February 28, 2013, to parents Brad and Heidi Kaloupek, growing up in the lowcountry of Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
Naish leaves behind a world forever changed by his bright spirit, kind heart, and quirky sense of humor, which he shared with everyone he encountered. He loved his dog Maggie, his constant companion. He enjoyed basketball, surfing, tennis, golf, fishing, swimming, and Boy Scouts — and was often riding his bike to the IOP Rec Center to shoot hoops with his buddies.
Wise Beyond His Years
Naish often sported maroon or orange for his favorite teams — Virginia Tech, Clemson, Minnesota, and the Washington Commanders. Wise beyond his years, he loved a fierce game of Uno or an intense game of Risk. His smile — bright, mischievous, unforgettable — will be deeply missed.
Tough as Naish
During his illness, Naish battled hard and always kept a positive attitude. He was always kind to the amazing staff who treated him at MUSC — offering late-night stock advice or talking sports with the nurses. His fight inspired everyone around him. Teams raised over $100,000 for cancer research in his honor.
In Boy Scouts, he continued to participate wherever he could, earning his First Class rank and being honored as Scout of the Year by his Council. His "Tough as Naish" t-shirt became a symbol worn by nurses, middle school friends, and his entire scout troop — a uniform of love and solidarity.
Though his time with us was far too short, his spirit will live on in our memories, the stories we tell, and the love he leaves behind.
Survived By
Parents Brad and Heidi Kaloupek. Grandparents Tom and Nancy Kaloupek and Ken and Darla Czech. Aunts and uncles Jeff and Erin Kaloupek, Polly and Josh Dwuznik, and Cami and Doug Jarnot. Cousins Hadley, Kelly, Hannah, Blair, and Chloe. And many relatives and friends who loved him beyond measure.
Sunday, April 26 · 3:00 PM
Citadel Beach House · Isle of Palms, South Carolina
Family and friends are invited to honor his memory and the joy he brought into the world.
About Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)
The cancer Naish fought — rare, aggressive, and in need of more research.
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents, accounting for roughly 3% of all childhood cancers. It develops in skeletal muscle tissue and can occur anywhere in the body. RMS is rare — approximately 500 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year — and its aggressive nature makes early detection and treatment critical.
Despite advances, outcomes for children with metastatic or recurrent RMS remain poor, and the disease has seen limited new treatment options over the past several decades. Research funding is essential to developing better therapies. Naish's fight — and the $100,000 raised by those who loved him — is part of that effort.