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27 tree(s) planted in memory of Ryan Harstad
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The MPCG class of 1996 planted 25 trees in memory of Ryan Harstad
Friday, March 26, 2021
25 trees were planted in memory of
Ryan Michael Harstad
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We are saddened to hear of Ryan's passing. A lifelong classmate is hard to come by. We extend our hearts to his family during this time. With love, Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Michael Baird lit a candle
Friday, March 26, 2021
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Cathrine Baird posted a condolence
Friday, March 26, 2021
My name is Cathie and I am Ryan’s Aunt. My husband is Ryan’s Moms brother. I didn’t see Ryan very many times as he has always lived in other cities and/or states. The first time that I did he was about about 12 I think, he was a terrific kid. Fun loving and happy. I think I saw him 1 or 2 more times and then I didn’t see him again until he was moving to Oregon. His dad Gary and Ryan stopped and stayed overnight at our home. When Ryan was in the hospital for so long. I would send messages, later we messaged a few times. We messaged about hope, I shared my faith and about my own struggles with depression, purpose . I shared about disability applying, benefits, I felt I knew or understood him better. Ryan struggled with depression but he was a strong man. After his hospitalization he had to pick up the pieces that had been his life and was then faced with the need to recreate a life that was forever changed. And he did it. He had so many friends that posted to him in the hospital, so many people that loved him and had nothing but good things to say about him. Even up till his death, Ryan’s Facebook was filled with pictures doing things with his friends. Ryan was a caring man. He understood hardships that others faced of all kinds and he really cared. I read so many things his friends had written that in my mind .... I had no doubt that God had gifted him a compassionate heart. He struggled with his own demons but then again we all struggle with our own, don’t we. My heart goes out to his mom, dad, his sister and his nieces and nephew. I’m so sorry for your loss and heartbreak. Tragedy is always sudden and the aftermath is difficult and painful. His life has been lost too soon, For all the friends he had that loved him, I’m sorry for your pain but he was blessed by your friendship. I’m sure some of you have walked with him through very hard times and he with you. But what a blessing it is to have loved and been loved so deeply by another. Rest In Peace Ryan. I will see you again one day,
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Matt Bakken lit a candle
Friday, March 26, 2021
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My condolences to Ryan's family. God bless you, Ryan.
-Mat Bakken
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Marina planted a tree in memory of Ryan Harstad
Friday, March 26, 2021
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It was an honor to see you play and making me laugh. My condolences to the family, I'm so sorry for this loss . Ryan rest in peace my brother! Bless Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Diana Forsberg posted a condolence
Thursday, March 25, 2021
My sincerest condolences to Ryan's family and friends. I spent time with Ryan from 2006-2007/8. Never a dull moment! He was always joking around. I quickly found out that he had a soft, incredibly kind heart and was a great friend. I remember what a cute relationship he had with his dog Mya, they adored each other! I bet she was waiting for him on Rainbow Bridge. Sending love to you all.
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Shane Bertrand uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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My name is Shane Bertrand. I was in a band with Ryan called The Christopher Walken Overdrive from 2005 till 2008. First of all, my condolences to Ryan’s family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve known Ryan since we were in elementary school, but I really got to know him when he first started to learn how to play guitar. I was an influence on him, and eventually he was an musical influence on me. We had a great time playing in a band together. I have lots of great memories of being on stage with Ryan, being in the recording studio, and at band practice. He always had a great, and weird, sense of humor that I always enjoyed. You never knew what the heck he was gonna say next.
I’ve included a few band related photos. In two of them, we were recording his bass lines for a few new Christopher Walken Overdrive songs we wrote in 2008. He played his bass lines fine...until I pressed the record button lol. That gets to a lot of people. Well, I tricked him during one take, saying that it was just a practice run, but had actually pressed record and he didn’t know it, and he nailed it. He said ok, I think I’m ready to lay down a take. I told him, your all done man, I was recording the whole time! He was pleased. In another photo, he’s recording his bass line for our cover of Wham’s Careless Whisper at the MSU studio in Moorhead, MN. His hair was getting long by then, and he could really Afro that doo up! I loved it! In the last photo, we were on our way back from playing a gig in Superior, WI, driving through Bemiji, and we spotted a dinosaur on the side of the road, so we decided to pull over and take a band photo with it.
I’ve had some great times, and also some trying times with Ryan. He was a great friend and I’ll miss him. Rest In Peace my friend.
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Emily McDougall posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
My prayers go out to all your family and friends.
The first time I met you I told you I felt the need to protect you. In reality you protected and helped me so many times I can't count. I'll never forget seeing you before you moved to Portland. You sitting in front of my 3month old son telling him your life wisdom and promising to be back to see us soon. You're part of the reason my son was born. You always had my back and you were always there the second I started struggling.
Ryan, I told you that you had a heart of gold and you do..you have a one of a kind beautifully genuine pure soul. I miss you so much already I have a hard time typing the words out without crying. I know the 7 angels and the Lord Himself welcomed you into heaven with arms wide open. I love you "more than I know" Ryguy
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Brent Roberts uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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I love this man. So sorry for your loss.
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Sharon lit a candle
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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Sharon posted a symbolic gesture
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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April (Pinske) Matson planted a tree in memory of Ryan Harstad
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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Sent with love and remembrance, Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Sue Bravek posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
I love you Ryan. Heaven has gained a beautiful soul. We will see each other again. Forever in my heart. Aunt Sue
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Jenessa posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
My name is Jenessa. First I want to say that my heart is holding all of Ryan’s family for the loss they are suffering. I hurt this badly as a friend who has known him only a portion of his life, but they grew up with him, raised him, and their heritage is represented by this wonderful human being. I wish peace and comfort to them as they heal from this unexpected sorrow.
I met Ryan while I lived in the Bombshelter in Mayville in 1993. I was 18, he was 15, I think. He would visit my roommates, and I would subsequently end up hanging out with all of them, so became somewhat familiar with his addition of conversational spice to any group of people. - Notice I didn’t say it was conversational “taste.” I think we can all agree Ryan never concentrated on being socially tasteful.
If you were someone who could tolerate not knowing what he would say next, and accept that it might be crass or even horrific, you would be inducted into the Ryan circle and live that adventure while you knew him. After all, he may also say something wise from his life experience or tell you something about yourself that you didn’t realize was perceived by others. He might encourage you in your life lessons and forward-moving decisions or turn your view of a situation into a wider scope of understanding.
When I observed him handling his own life hiccups Ryan would grumble of course, but he did wrangle them with integrity and determination. When he enjoyed life, it was with many friends and hobbies. The first favored passtime of his that I was aware of happened to be Dungeons and Dragons, since my roommates also played. He dabbled in motorcycles, music, guns, loved his dog Mia, enjoyed growing and processing cannabis in Oregon, and any number of other passtimes I’m not aware of. While he stayed here in Portland I was treated to the Torte Milanese he layered and baked so well, he enjoyed fishing with friends, and hanging out at bars like The High Water Mark for a few beers.
It has always struck me, even while younger and in Mayville, that while his words and actions should be considered abrasive at times, he was still one of the best people I knew, and that will continue to be the case for the rest of my life. This man would do anything for someone he cared about, and even looked out for friends when they didn’t know they needed it.
I admit that 30 years ago he was a sort of “favorite side-character” in the episodes of my life, but a recurring one who always impressed me with his genuineness. We spoke on and off, and I mostly remember it being while mutual friends were visiting, or while I went visiting others. Our friendship especially solidified after he had that very hard day in 2012. He’d been in the hospital, and then I think he moved to a care facility, and then he was apparently staying at someone’s place when he told me he was not in a good spot to move forward. I invited him to come stay with me and my family in Portland so he could find new purchase on a future, and paint a fresh life on Portland’s blank canvas.
It was a blessing to have him here for most of a decade, to be able to talk with him and have barbecues with him, we took many walks together and encouraged each other in life challenges. I listened to his jokes, his humble insights, ample street wisdom, his laughter and his complaints. I have treasured watching him climb through the hoops of building his life, through finding new friends, pursuing hobbies, and nurturing our own friendship. I was watching signs of him caring about his own life, and that was a joy to see!
When he told me about his first death, and the group of angels who were determining whether he would stay or go, I was amazed. Ryan didn’t talk about religious-based things normally, so I listened to this unusual account of his experience of heavenly beings and an afterworld. One of the angels was very upset that he had to come back to us, and he said she’d cut her hair in protest before he returned. After this story, I felt content that when his time did come, he had someone to look forward to on the other side. Of course I thought that wouldn’t be for another 30 years or so. When it sinked in that he was actually gone, that the message I received wasn’t a tasteless prank by a hacker, I literally fell to the floor sobbing. The first thought I reached for to make it better was that Ryan had entered a realm of peace and joy that we each wish we had, and was probably being embraced by that angel.
I don’t know how I would have been a different person if I hadn’t had Ryan in my life, but I know that I wouldn’t have as rich a life as I’ve had, having met him. Having had his voice saying “love ya, Ness,” whenever he left my presence, having seen him grin or laugh at his own off-colored jokes, having watched his eyes soften with the doling of honesty, or seen the effort he put forth to overcome the difficulties that had folded-in on his life. His will to endeavor through mistakes and obstacles with humility and strength will always inspire me to do the same. Stories about him will be a part of our family so that my grandchildren will know that life can be painfully clambered through because it’s worth living. And what you do with it will be a legacy for more than family, as Ryan has demonstrated. A person might leave us, but the inspiration from their efforts, like Ryan’s, can live for generations.
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Ryan's family uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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The family of Ryan Michael Harstad uploaded a photo
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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The family of Ryan Michael Harstad uploaded a photo
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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The family of Ryan Michael Harstad uploaded a photo
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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The family of Ryan Michael Harstad uploaded a photo
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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The family of Ryan Michael Harstad uploaded a photo
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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