Ryan Michael Freeman

Ryan Michael Freeman - May 16, 1981 to June 17, 2022

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though he may die." John 11:25

Our firstborn child, Ryan Michael Freeman, passed from this world into the loving Arms of Jesus on June 17, 2022, on Whidbey Island, WA. Ryan suffered from complications related to a rare genetic disorder. He is survived by his wife, Julia Erin; son, Logan, age 11; and baby Norah, age 1. He is also survived by his loving mother, Paula Freeman, of Kenmore, WA; his brother Andrew and wife Lauren and their sons, Henry, Oliver and Charlie, all of Boerne, Texas. His beloved Dad, pictured here with him, predeceased him on October 18, 2021, in Kenmore. Also surviving are numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Ryan was a 1999 graduate of Woodinville High School and 2003 graduate of Whitworth University (Spokane).

Memorial gatherings honoring Ryan were held at McMenamins Restaurant in Bothell in June and at the Seattle School of Theology in July. The family wishes to thank the many individuals who joined together to share their hearts and memories as his teammates, friends, and family throughout his 41 years of life. Expressions of those memories follow: "Ryan was a consummate teammate, friend and doting father. Those who knew him best often spoke of his unmatched, contagious enthusiasm for his passions, and few could match him when it came to loyalty. Ryan prioritized the relationships that comprised his inner circle, leaving them with a lifetime of memories. His offbeat style and sense of humor kept everyone on their toes, and his memory will live with us forever. Ryan was unique in that he combined a love for science with a love for art. To him, life was an endless experiment to be studied and explored. He could be singularly focused on a goal with a tenacity that refused to let go and yet in conversation he could bounce around from subject to subject in a way that was somehow both chaotic and seamless. The gospel of John mentions the Last Supper--'love one another' is its message. Ryan lived this out. He was an endless fountain of kind, tenacious love for people."

During his professional career, he spent many years as an account manager with Egencia of Bellevue. Later, his role as a manager carried into his careers at Whitepage and Simply Measured, Inc. Most recently, he worked as the premiere client success manager at SAP Concur in Bellevue. He was also a founder of the Greenlake Wellness Group of Seattle.

In May, the Whitworth University Board of Trustees voted to induct Ryan into their Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in swimming between the years 1999-2003. Ryan served his university as the Pirate swim team captain and captured 16 NCAA Division III All-America Swimming honors as an individual swimmer and relay member. Although Ryan passed away one month after the vote for his induction, he will be honored at a celebration during Whitworth University Homecoming on Saturday, October 8, 2022, on the campus in Spokane, Washington.