Ryan Ray Ruesch

Ryan Ruesch, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 11, 2022 at the age of 47.
Ryan was born June 28, 1975 in Medford, to Patty and Reno Ruesch. He graduated from Medford Senior High School in 1993. Ryan received an Aviation Maintenance diploma and an A& P license from Blackhawk Technical College in 1995, and a Nondestructive Testing Diploma from Ridgewater Community College in 1996.
Ryan began his aviation career with Midwest Express Airlines in Milwaukee. In 2003 he moved to Juneau, Alaska and worked at Temsco Helicopters. There he discovered his love for the Alaska outdoors, a love that would only grow deeper with each adventure. In spring 2008 he met Paige, who was visiting from Fairbanks and quickly became his newest partner for these adventures. Later that year he followed his heart and moved to Fairbanks, Alaska to embark on a new chapter with her. He continued his career in aviation, working for Ravn Airlines (2008-2015) and Everts Air (2015-2021). Ryan took a short break from aviation to work for Kinross Fort Knox Gold Mine as a haul truck operator. Most recently he worked for Amentum on Chinook helicopters at Fort Wainwright Military Base where he was a member of the IAM District 160 union.
On Nov. 27, 2010 Ryan married his best friend and partner Paige in Tulum, Mexico. On Dec. 8, 2012 they welcomed twin boys, Austin and Dylan, to whom Ryan devoted his entire heart. Ryan was an adventurous soul, who had a passion and unbridled enthusiasm for the outdoors. He enjoyed biking, running, traveling, hunting, and fishing throughout the wild landscape of Alaska and participated in many local long distance races. But his favorite activity was exploring this state with his young sons, whether it be fishing the waters of Prince William Sound, biking the trails of Fairbanks, ice fishing the lakes and rivers of interior Alaska, or playing in the forested land outside their home in Goldstream Valley.
Ryan was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Shaw; paternal grandparents, Mabel and Ted Ruesch, and his aunt, Ila Glaze.
Ryan is survived by his wife, Paige Ruesch and their sons, Austin and Dylan; parents, Patty and Reno Ruesch of Medford; twin sister Rhonda Ruesch of Kerrville, Texas; sister, Lori Pesic and brother-in-law, Goran Pesic of Pepin, Wis.; brother, Jason Ruesch of Medford; grandmother, Dolores Shaw of Medford; father and mother-in-law, Jack and Marge Gingrich of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; sister and brother-in-law, Elise Gingrich and Mike Costello of Fort Collins, Colo.; and sister-in-law Jaclyn Gingrich of Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Ryan was the kind of father every child deserves, the kind of friend anyone could count on, and the kind of partner that everyone should have. His gentle spirit was evident to all who knew him and will be deeply missed. While we reconcile with his death and the cruel acceptance of it, may those who knew him find a way to rejoice in their memories and seek his spirit in the places and people he loved so dearly.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Holy Rosary catholic Church in Medford. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery II, Medford.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
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