Ryan was born late in the evening Monday, January 7th, 2002 at 8:14 p.m. He is the youngest of two children, and the absolute center of their world. Ryan graduated in the spring of 2020 from De Pere High School, while simultaneously completing a carpentry program through NWTC. Ryan’s future was bright and full of big, big plans.
From the day Ryan was born, he was the absolute light of their lives, his momma’s baby, his dad’s mini, and his big sister’s best friend. Ryan could fix anything that was broken, from hearts to trucks, and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He was nothing short of perfect in all of his roles. Family came first for Ryan, and that is evident in the hearts he’s left behind.
Ryan followed closely in his father’s footsteps. In the spring of 2022, he was sworn into the Operators Union, Local 139, and started his career at Northeast Asphalt as an Operating Engineer Apprentice, where he was referred to as “Lil’ Socha”. Few things brought Ryan as much joy as the comments he frequently received, referencing just how much he reminds everyone of his father. Ryan’s dreams to be just like his dad did not end with his career, as he proudly purchased his first Chevy truck in 2021, and Harley, just in time to participate in the 2022 annual Local 139 Poker Run, benefitting Hogs for Heroes.
In Ryan’s free time he enjoyed Friday morning basketball, poker nights, Bucks, Cubs, and Packers games, and planning the next big project with the guys. There was absolutely nothing that Ryan wasn’t capable of accomplishing.
Some of Ryan’s proudest plans included the bright future he’d already started building for him, and the love of his life, Aubrie. He was most looking forward to building the barndominium of their dreams, and filling it with babies and dogs.
Tragically, Ryan was taken from us November 8, 2022. Ryan was on his way to work early that morning, when the careless choice of an oncoming driver robbed this world of his bright future. That morning forever changed the lives of our family, friends, and so many more. Although it's been an unbearable reality to try to continue living in, we must. Ryan's life and legacy will live on in all of the lives that he touched, and in the memories we continue to share.