Fund in Memory of Ryan Duane Howard

Ryan Duane Howard was born June 14, 1994, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina near Norfolk where his father was stationed in the Navy. When Ryan was two years old the family moved back home to Colorado. He attended grades K-12 in Highlands Ranch and graduated from Rock Canyon High School, Class of 2013. He participated in sports during his youth but football was his favorite. Ryan spent a lot of his young life visiting his Grandma and Grandpa, as well as many cousins, in Longmont. Ryan loved anything outdoors...skiing, playing catch, camping, hunting, and boating with his grandpa.

Around Thanksgiving in 2016, Ryan passed out while playing pool with family in his grandparent’s basement. He was taken to the emergency room and then spent a week in the hospital. It is here that they discovered Ryan had Long QT. Ryan was prescribed a beta blocker and a loop recorder was installed in his chest to record his heartbeat. Unbeknownst to family at the time, he had passed out again a couple months later while at college.

Almost a year later while at home for Thanksgiving in 2017, Ryan passed out for the third time while walking his beloved bulldog Toby with his father. After this episode, Ryan spent a few days at the hospital in Lone Tree near his home. Once released, the doctors continued to run tests, monitor him, and formulate a plan. Tragically, in the early morning hours of March 4, 2018, Ryan passed away in his sleep in his apartment at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley. Ryan’s death was a shock to everyone as they thought they were taking appropriate steps to manage his Long QT.

Ryan was a very smart and caring man. He would do anything for family and friends and loved animals. He had the unique ability to play songs on the piano by ear without a single piano lesson. He had just taught himself Piano Man by Billy Joel and luckily his girlfriend at the time recorded it. Although difficult to watch now, this video will be a treasure to be enjoyed for many years. Ryan remained very close to a core group of 12 or so best friends who all grew up together, graduated together, and stayed together at UNC. All of his buddies served as pallbearers at his funeral. Ryan was a successful student and senior at UNC and was set to graduate in May with a degree in finance. UNC has decided to award Ryan his degree (posthumously) and his father will receive the honor of walking for him at graduation in May 2018. Ryan is survived by his father, mother, a younger brother and younger sister, 2 grandmas, 1 grandpa, and lots of cousins, aunts and uncles.

Ryan was loved by his family and friends and will be dearly missed. The family is grateful for the work of the SADS Foundation as we support families, educate medical professionals, and spread the word about SADS conditions. Both the Howard Family and the SADS Foundation appreciate each donation that helps us prevent the heartbreaking loss of children and young adults like Ryan.