Ryan's Eulogy

Ryan Foss – Ceremony   9/5/2020 - J Stewart

It is such a sad honor to be a part of this gathering as we approach the sacred task of saying goodbye to Ryan, a dearly loved husband and father, son, brother, uncle and friend.

 

Ryan was truly an extraordinary, wonderful, albeit complicated being.

 

He leaves us far too soon but not without first cementing into all of you so many wonderful memories of his spirit, capacity for compassion, intellect, playfulness and his many passions, none greater than that which he held for Davis, Kristen and family, but jazz and even Frank Zappa (with whom he felt a kindred spirit) were on that list as well.

 

In looking for Zappa quotes to help me understand this connection I found this:

 

“If you end up with a boring miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on television telling you how to do your shit, then you deserve it.”  

 

(This and also an Eagle Scout – indeed a complicated man.)

 

Ryan did not have a “boring miserable life” for his life was full of love, creativity, and adventure.  

 

Sadly however, the intensity of this remarkable guy’s spirit drove him to walk a line which he was ultimately unable to manage.   As cliché as if may seem, Ryan was truly a meteor, a shooting star with brilliance that lit up so many yet was ultimately consumed by this brilliance far too soon.  

 

Having been around only in the later years of Ryan’s life I have been so touched by this family’s loving effort to pull him back into the fold when he was lost, yet this was not to be.  So, we are here now lovingly saying thank you and goodbye to this wonderful, sweet guy.

Ryan has gone where we all shall go, he knows now what we only speculate about, yet his spirit and energy remain and it is our job to look for this spirit and honor it with joyful gratitude as it is revealed in this little guy's face, a moving saxophone line or, yes even a remarkable order of supplies for a deck project.

 

Ruth Burgess -Poem

 

Into the freedom of wind and sunshine

We let you go

Into the dance of the stars and the planets

We let you go

Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker

We let you go.

We love you; we miss you; we want you to be happy.

Go safely, go dancing, go running home.

The years soften. Much is forgotten, forgiven, accepted. We miss you and love you.