Ryan Andrew Schlosser passed away unexpectedly in an unfortunate accident on January 2nd, 2025. He was 37 and far too interesting for just a normal obituary like the rest of us will inevitably receive. So we’re going to start by bragging about the things that he was generally too well-mannered to mention. He certainly managed more living in 37 years than most of us could achieve in 370 years. He was proud of his MBA and his 15 tech patents, but they weren't what he lived for—Ryan was in it for the adventure.

When Ryan was growing up, he was proud of his "house in the big woods." He loved catching crawdads in the creek with Mindy and Brittany, speeding along the bike trail ahead of his family, learning to snowboard, eating strange things on dares, and losing to his brother at Super Smash Brothers. He loved independent film and music, time outdoors, and trying almost anything once. In college, he adopted his best friend and faithful companion, Kimmy, a sweet brindled pit mix who stayed by his side throughout many of his adventures--including the months he spent hiking the Appalachian Trail. After earning his bachelor's degree at James Madison University in Computer Information Systems and his Master's degree at Georgetown University in Washimgton,DC and working in Washington and  NYC, Ryan was thrilled to settle in Denver and be near the mountains. He bought a colorful, quirky home and proudly started growing flowers among the garden gnomes. He fostered a huge community of friends he loved spending time with, both indoors and out. He never stopped traveling and enjoying the world and the people in it.

In fact, there was nothing Ryan loved more than flying off to someplace exotic with no friends, no plans, and no worries. Everyone was a potential friend to him, and he could often be found surfing the couch of someone he had just met earlier that day. He made friends in at least 30 countries that we know of and hosted friends and visitors  from 44 countries, but somehow still always made time to travel to family events and hang out with his relatives, wherever we happened to be. He was a better friend than we deserved, and our world will be a little smaller and a lot more dull without him.

We thought we had more time with Ryan, but he left on his final great adventure without us, and all we can do is hope he's having a great time until we meet again. We'll gather to celebrate his life at a Friends' Farewell on Saturday, January 11th, in Denver, CO. His funeral will be held at our family cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, January 18th, followed by a luncheon. All are welcome.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Mike Schlosser (Valarie) and Gayle Cauthorn Schlosser Webster( J), older brother and close friend, Christian Schlosser (Erin) of Texas, and his three sisters, Holly Ridges (Ryan) of Oklahoma, Mindy Miller (Alan) of Pennsylvania, and Brittany Phelps (Chandler) of California. He also has two nephews, Sawyer and Kai Phelps, and a niece, Emmy Ridges, all of whom he adored. He was devoted to his family and loved visiting them all over the country, including his aunts, uncles, and cousins in Richmond, Virginia: Starke and Gloria Cauthorn, Mary and Hermann Hinrichsen (Rhode Island), Ellen and Colin Corbett, Dick and Bonnie Cauthorn, and Carol and Mike Woodcock. Out West he particularly enjoyed spending time with his aunt and uncle Dave and Gail Schlosser, of Washington State, and their children, many of whom joined us on a family cruise recently. He is preceded in death by only his grandparents: Hurley and Mary Cauthorn of Richmond, Virginia, and Charles and Elaine Schlosser of Yakima, Washington.

We loved Ryan dearly. He will always be part of our little family, despite the gap he has left behind. We love you, Ryan. Always.

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