Ryan Brett Orndorff

We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Ryan Brett Orndorff, after a valiant
six week battle with a rare type of Lymphoma coupled with a vicious HLH complication which
accelerated its progression. Ryan was born June 2nd, 1976 in Big Mountain, West Virginia to
Nora Friend Orndorff and Rodney Lowell Orndorff, and passed peacefully on April 14th, 2025,
surrounded by family. He was a loyal and loving husband to Rachel Runyan Orndorff for 26
years, and devoted father to his children, Avenelle Rose Orndorff (20) and Charles "Charlie"
Ryan Orndorff (18).
He lived a remarkable life in his 48 years, residing in West Virginia for the entirety of his
childhood and undergraduate education, settling in Northern Virginia in adulthood, and
traveling extensively throughout the world in his career. Ryan was an incredible artist and a
musician at heart. As a child he taught himself to play instruments from the tuba to the upright bass and guitar, and played in various jazz ensembles and rock/funk bands until 2005. His talent earned him several music scholarships at West Virginia Wesleyan University and Shepherd University. He met his wife, Rachel, while playing in a funk band in Shepherdstown in 1997. After some time studying music, he changed course to pursue his passion for environmental conservation. He earned his degree in Environmental science from Shepherd University in 2002 before receiving his masters degree in Forestry from Penn State in 2004.
His dedication to the conservation of American wildlife earned him esteemed positions in the
Army National Guard, U.S Marine Corps, and U.S Department of Defense, and his passion for
wildlife was obvious beyond his work with the Federal Government. He was a seasoned
outdoorsman, working as a whitewater rafting guide on the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers
throughout his years at Shepherd University, and enjoyed solo kayaking on the New and Gauley
Rivers in southern West Virginia. He was an avid fisherman with a profound respect for the
earth, and possessed an encyclopedic knowledge on Appalachian flora and fauna. His son,
Charlie, cites their time together fishing and golfing as some of his most treasured memories.
Ryan was an excellent golfer with a passion for the history and tradition of the game. He was
also known as an exceptional visual artist, sharing his talent for drawing and painting with his daughter, Avenelle.
He is survived by his wife, Rachel Runyan Orndorff, his children, Avenelle Rose Orndorff and
Charles Ryan Orndorff, brother, Rodney "Chip" Orndorff, and sister Marlee Tinnell, as well as his mother, Nora, who will forever cherish his memory. He is preceded in death by his father, Rodney Lowell Orndorff, and sister Meagan Shea Wallace.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate his life at the Vienna Presbyterian Chuch on Saturday, May 10th at 12 Noon. Reception to follow from 1-3 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the family's GoFundMe to support them after their loss.
https://gofund.me/e9d01bce