Ryan Frederick Kauffman

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Wednesday, 09 December 2015 15:52

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Ryan Frederick Kauffman lived a life filled with love, compassion and laughter during his 38 years.

He was born August 11, 1977, to Tina and Dick Kauffman in Houston, Texas.

Early on he was exposed to adventure: in 1981, the Kauffman family moved to Ghana,West Africa, so his father could pursue a professional opportunity. Over the next few years, Ryan and older brother Trent traveled extensively internationally, sometimes as a family but more commonly it was just the boys and their intrepid mother. 

By 1983, the family had moved to California, where Ryan’s childhood was split between Thousand Oaks and Alamo, California. As a teenager, Ryan discovered his natural mechanical ability and spent many happy hours engrossed in rebuilding car engines and repairing bikes. In his own words, he “hung around the local bike shop” until they had to offer him a job.

Between showing off his athletic talents racing down the local mountain bike trails and terrorizing the neighborhood with his older brother, Ryan graduated from San Ramon High School in Danville in 1995. 

Ryan enrolled at Southern Oregon State University in the fall of 1995, completing a B.A. degree in art with an emphasis in sculpture in 1999. Ryan was humble about his artistic abilities, yet he created beautiful artwork throughout his life.

He found many kindred spirits living in Ashland, Oregon. During his time there, he created a community of friends, shared his talents as a bike mechanic and displayed his prowess snowboarding and biking, his beloved husky mix, Juno at his heels.

In the summer of 1999, he was offered work as a guide in Sitka. He and Juno arrived in rainy Southeast and, like many, fell in love with Alaska. After spending several summers in Sitka (including a particularly wet season where he shared the back of his truck with his dog), he relocated permanently in 2001.

Ryan was a true Alaskan. He loved living in intimacy with the land and sea in our coastal community. His sweet and goofy sense of humor was infectious and the community of Sitka quickly embraced him as one of their own. In turn, many people remember Ryan as the first person to welcome them warmly to “town”. His generosity and commitment to his community was boundless; there were few events in Sitka that he didn’t volunteer for, or attend with delight.

Ryan’s gift of time to the Sitka Monthly Grind, a community talent and variety show, is particularly notable. There were few locals in Sitka who didn’t recognize him as he welcomed folks at the door every month. 

In addition, out-of-town visitors from near and far were introduced to Sitka’s most scenic trails through Ryan. He was passionate about Southeast Alaska and generously shared his extensive knowledge as a summer bike and hike guide for over a decade.

Ryan was also a true waterman. He was well known in Sitka’s surfing community for his finesse on curling waves but also his kindness in sharing them. Captain Ryan skillfully navigated Sitka Sound to safely transport people to offshore islands and on scenic tours through his sea taxi business; many will remember him for excitedly pointing out puffins and whales along the way to their destination. His enthusiasm was contagious for the natural environment.

As many can attest, where Ryan truly excelled was in his interactions with the Sitka youth. He had a rare magic and approachability that kids of all ages were drawn to. Ryan simply believed in kids without judgment; in return he gained their trust and respect. Although Ryan worked under various capacities to mentor youth with the Sitka School District during his 15 years in Sitka, he is undoubtedly remembered best for his dedication to tobacco prevention and cessation. Many kids and more than a few adults in Sitka successfully quit tobacco with Ryan’s support; and even more never began using drugs due to his prevention education. His genuine commitment to steer others toward a healthier future was palpable, and thus he had a profound impact on many lives. 

In August 2010, Ryan met his love, Kristen Green, in Sitka. Their lives quickly entangled. They shared a passion for the ocean, where they spent many hours together: surfing, fishing, boating and free diving. Ryan and Kristen were honored to create relationships as a couple with the community and to their environment through their reliance on local wild foods. They loved exploring Alaska and created many wonderful memories here. Together they camped in the remote Aleutian Islands chain, hiked in the Wrangell St. Elias mountains with their families, cross-country skied with friends around Anchorage, and traveled over glaciers on the Kenai peninsula. Fittingly, their last trip together in Alaska was spent surfing and exploring the wild and gorgeous Yakutat beach breaks.

In August 2014, they celebrated their love and commitment in a beautiful wedding ceremony before their family and friends in Sitka National Historical Park.  

Shortly thereafter, Ryan was diagnosed with brain cancer. His wife, family and community of friends rallied around him with immeasurable support as he navigated a difficult and heartbreaking journey.

After a 15-month illness, Ryan transitioned from this life on November 22, 2015. He died in his beloved Sitka surrounded by loved ones near and far.

He is survived by his wife, Kristen Green; his parents, Tina and Dick Kauffman of Alamo, California; his brother Trent Kauffman and family of Chicago, Illinois; many cousins, aunts and uncles; and a multitude of friends.

Ryan was a devoted son and brother, a loyal and loving husband, a mentor to innumerable youth, and a friend to just about everyone. He deeply affected many people over the course of his life, and perhaps even more profoundly over the course of his illness.

“We will weave our memories of him into our future actions to honor his spirit. We miss him immensely, love him infinitely, and find solace knowing his spirit is everywhere, and at all times,” his friends said. 

A celebration of life for Ryan will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, December 11, at the Performing Arts Center in Sitka. In memory of Ryan’s colorful life, those attending are asked to wear colors other than black to the memorial.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sitka Brave Heart Volunteers, in memory of Ryan Kauffman. A separate fund has been created in Ryan’s name to be used to contribute to specific end-of-life care and grief education needs in Sitka.

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