Christopher Michael Rucinski

Christopher Michael Rucinski, 37, of Seoul, South Korea, formerly of Stevens Point, died Monday, January 1, 2026, at his home in Seoul of a heart attack.

Christopher, the beloved son of David and Sharon (Napiwocki) Rucinski, was born December 15, 1988, at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, WI. The second child of the family, Christopher was a loving brother to Kyle Rucinski, Brittany Rucinski and Nathan Rucinski. He grew up on the family farm, developing a great work ethic. He enjoyed family get-togethers with his large extended family of many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. He enjoyed deer hunting and traveling, both in the US and abroad, and had a passion for IT and computer software solutions.

Christopher attended SPASH, graduating in 2007, and then went to Midstate Technical School in Stevens Point for his first year of college before attending MSOE in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated in 2012 with a BA in Software Engineering. After college, he decided to move to South Korea for work. He became an English Teacher to grade school children, most recently through MI Academy in Seoul. He also enjoyed software IT work, solving problem sets and designing new solutions.

Christopher is remembered for his kind heart, infectious laugh, and easy-going manner. His curious nature and being very social allowed him the opportunity to make his life in Seoul. He developed many friendships there. He loved Seoul, describing it as an incredible city, which he felt was built for him. He "loved every aspect of Seoul" and could not imagine living anywhere else.

He loved traveling and visited New York City, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Francisco, Portland (Oregon), Oceanside (California), Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul, and Gyeongju (South Korea).

Christopher is survived by his parents, David and Sharon Rucinski; siblings, Kyle, Brittany, and Nathan Rucinski; grandmother Carol (Jacobson) Rucinski; and many aunts, uncles and cousins, extended relatives and many friends.

Christopher was preceded in death by grandparents, Stanley and Dorothy (Lewandowski) Napiwocki and Louis Rucinski; and aunts Janie (Napiwocki) Grezinski, Debbie Napiwocki, and Diane ("Peter" Napiwocki) Shulfer.

The family would like to thank the US Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, for their assistance in this very challenging situation. A special thank you to Christopher's good friend, Alex (Kangmo Ku), who helped us along this difficult journey. We are grateful for your friendship to Christopher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Christopher at 11am on Friday, February 6, 2026 at St. Peter Catholic Church - 800 4th Avenue, Stevens Point. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories on Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 3-5pm at Shuda Funeral Chapel - 3200 Stanley St. Stevens Point, WI and again on Friday at the church, in the St. Faustina Room, from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow at Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point.