Ryan Matthew Lutz

Ryan was born in Troy Ohio, he grew up attending elementary - high school in Greenville, Ohio. Ryan graduated from Greenville High in 1995. Ryan made friends easily and was able to fit in with kids from any social group. People always felt instantly comfortable around him. Ryan attended several colleges including Antioch University in Springfield Ohio. While attending college, Ryan worked in factories and retail. In 1999 Ryan transfered to Portland State University. While at PSU Ryan worked for PSU facilities and joined the lgbtq group, Queers and Allies. Ryan was always upbeat, socializing while setting up and taking down event spaces, and making lifelong friends. His happy, giving personality insured he made friends with many people and found his "family of choice" in Portland's queer and diverse populations. Ryan was never close to his biological family. Ryan shared his time, energy, stories and his quirky exuberance with his chosen family. At PSU Ryan focused on women's studies and queer studies. Ryan graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Science in June 2001. After graduation Ryan went to work for Clark County Public Health as a HIV/Aids specialist, where he implimented HIV prevention interventions. In 2008 Ryan moved to Washington County Health and Human Services as a Health Educator where he conducted counseling, testing and referal sevices. In 2010 Ryan went to work at Clark County Health Public Health as a social worker/Medical Case Manager. Ryan maintained a case load of over 100 clients insuring access to insurance, medical care, transportation, housing and psychological support. Ryan acceled at working effectively with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and mental health/substance abuse histories, in a non-judgemental supportive environment. After Clark County Health Department ended their HIV support program, Ryan worked for Fred Meyer Apparel while looking for work in his chosen field. In 2018 Ryan started working for OHSU research department. He was one of the first patient navigators in an OHSU research study, Healthy Oregon Project. Ryan supported OHSU research clients through their genetic testing, receiving results, and in making follow up care and medical procedures based on genetic results and recommendations. Ryan loved building the navigator program and supporting clients in their time of medical vulnerability. After the Healthy Oregon Project wound down, Ryan began working with the Warm Springs Reservation populations for OHSU pancreatic research studies. Ryan was one of the funniest, most exuberant people you could ever meet. Ryan was very professional and enjoyed work, however he preferred socializing with his family of choice, enjoying Portland's vibrant, diverse entertainment and gay clubs. Ryan loved reading spy novel thrillers and fantasy novels. Ryan also loved watching true crime. Anyone that spent more than 5 minutes with him can tell you about Ryan discussing a funny true crime fact, and discussing his ongoing frustration with his bio family. Ryan had a gift for telling stories that left you in tears of laughter-never at anyone's expense, always with warmth and heart.