Rian Aric Meguire

Rian Aric Meguire

Great Falls - Rian Aric Meguire was born January 31, 1973, and lived a vibrant 45 years until April 8, 2018, when his spirit finally triumphed over the cancer consuming his body.

Rian grew up in Great Falls, Montana with his younger sister Robin and parents, Vickie and Gerry Meguire, outside the city limits where he spent most of his time outdoors. He chased gophers, caught snakes, netted bugs, and learned the art of beekeeping as a participant in 4-H. He ran varsity cross-country at CMR High School. Before graduating in 1991, he traveled to Japan as a summer exchange student where he made lifelong friends.

Rian attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and Montana State University in Bozeman, ultimately graduating from the University of Great Falls with a degree in education. While back in Great Falls, he met his future wife, Jeramie Kaiser. Their romance and friendship was almost immediate. They could be found canoeing on the Missouri looking for beaver dams and other wildlife, road-tripping and traveling. They moved to Helena, Montana and ultimately settled in Portland, Oregon.

Rian's season was winter. He loved to ski and play in the snow, especially with his 7 year-old daughter, Ruthie Scarlet, and 3 year-old son Sawyer Joen. His energy was infectious and he could lead a group of little kids into a place of wild imagination. He loved to run, hike, bike, garden, keep bees, and explore nature. He loved all animals, the forest, and the mountains, and his family regularly hiked through the woods to look for owls, creating mandalas out of leaves, petals, and other forest artifacts.

He taught chemistry, biology, and physics at Jefferson and Benson high schools in Portland. He adored his students and aimed to bring out the best in them every day. He loved his community at Jefferson High School.

Rian was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (usually seen in non-smokers) in November of 2015. Rian spent the next 2.5 years getting in the best shape of his life. He ran an average of 8 miles a day visualizing cancer cells dying at every step. He ran the Portland Marathon in 2016 and a 50k trail ultra-marathon in 2017 with his sister, who inspired him to be a warrior and hero even when he was feeling weak. He was loved dearly by his family who supported every effort he made to fight his illness.

Rian is survived and loved by his wife Jeramie Kaiser, children Ruthie and Sawyer Kaiser-Meguire, his parents Vickie and Gerry Meguire, his sister Robin Meguire; his relatives and friends; and his fellow teachers, staff, and students at Jefferson High School; and the parts of nature which will surely miss his awareness and adoration of their magic.

In a last gesture of kindness, he donated his corneas to two needy fellow humans, giving the gift of sight. A celebration of his spirit and life is planned for later this Spring. Details will be provided at a later date. Memorials can be made to the donor's organization of choice or to LUNGevity, the nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit.