Ryan W. Petersmann, 19, of Laramie, WY died October 26, 2016 in a motorcycle accident. He was born October 24, 1997 in Laramie to Bill Petersmann and Sue (Petersmann) Kersey. He attended elementary school in Walden, CO until moving to Laramie in 5th grade. Ryan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Laramie High School in 2016 where he was a member of the High School Soccer Team. He was enrolled at Oregon State University where he was pursuing a degree in Forest Management with a minor in Business.
Ryan was an adventurer who, in his short life, had done more and experienced more than some people do in a lifetime. He loved hunting, fishing and camping. He was a dedicated soccer player since being exposed to the game in 4th grade. Ryan was a starter on three High School State Championship Teams which culminated in his Senior year when he was a team co-captain, was selected for the All Conference and All State teams, and was honored with a good sportsmanship award. Ryan loved soccer, but equally loved snowboarding, snowmobiling, dirt bike riding, playing his guitar and just hanging out with his friends. Ryan also spent a month in Germany with 19 classmates as part of the GAPP exchange program sponsored through his High School German class. Ryan’s most recent love was riding his motorcycle along the coastal highway in Oregon and diving into college life.
Ryan left a lasting impression on everyone he met and was truly dedicated to his friends and family. He was always ready to lend a hand no matter what the task. Ryan loved being in the woods and enjoyed spending his summers logging. He was an amazing young man who will be deeply missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Ryan is survived by his parents Sue and Bob Kersey of Laramie, WY and Bill Petersmann of Walden, CO; his sister Melissa of Westminster, CO; and step siblings Sarah Krei, Rob and Jacob Kersey, and Kaylee and Colton Elliott. He also leaves his maternal grandparents, Robert and Joni Engroff of Port Charlotte, FL; and his paternal grandmother, Emily Petersmann of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by his many Aunts and Uncles: Bill Engroff, Lisa Engroff and Barb Engroff of Asheboro, NC; Dave and Lisa Engroff of Sanford, FL; Ed Engroff of Belmond, Iowa; Jim Engroff of Cheyenne, WY; Jane and Bob Stadtlander of Lawrenceburg, IN; Sara Petersmann of Cincinnati, OH; and Dave and Vicki Petersmann of Vevay, Indiana.
Ryan was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Wilbur Petersmann; and his maternal grandmother Adelaide Hubbard.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at 10:30 am Friday November 11 at the Montgomery Stryker Funeral Home Chapel in Laramie, WY. A reception will follow. Memorial donations can be made to the Ryan Petersmann Memorial Scholarship Fund held at the Laramie Plains Federal Credit Union in Laramie, WY.
Life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only the horizon. And a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. ~Rossiter Raymond My Thoughts and prayers are with you. Christine Kopsa
Bill, Sue and Bob, and Melissa, We are so very sorry about Ryan. Our hearts break for you. Words really don't mean anything....but wanted you to know you are in our thoughts!! Joanie, Buddy and kids (King)
Bob and Sue, we are sorry for your loss. There are no words to describe the sorrow when one of our young ones leave us suddenly. Rejoice for Ryan's short time here and we trust that God will bring you comfort and relief. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Sue, Bill and family, I am so saddened by the loss of Ryan, and I am so sorry for your pain. I did not know Ryan very long, he worked for my husband and I a few times this last summer. But I can tell you what an impact he left on me, his smile is forever imprinted in my memory, and the one and only time he came to our home it was like he belonged there, he just made himself at home and was such a joy to visit with! I will never forget that and am thankful for that one special time. May god bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time. June and Richard
I wanted to express my heartfelt condolences to Ryan's family. There's such a sense of helplessness when someone we love dies, especially so young. I'd like to share some scriptural thoughts that really helps me. Prayer is so valuable at this time, but it's not that prayer simply makes us feel better. 2 Cor.4:7 says that God can give us, "... power beyond what is normal ", to go from one day to the next. This does not mean that we no longer cry or that we forget, but it means we recover. The reason we recover is because of our hope. Jesus Christ talked about our hope in John 5:28, "... all those in the memorial tomb will hear his voice and come out ". Jesus was referring to the resurrection; this is our hope that helps us recover and gives us power to go on. 2 Cor. 1:3 describes our Creator as, "... the God of all comfort ". One way that God comforts us is by moving people who care about us to give us words of encouragement that we need to hear. May the God of comfort (Ps. 83:18) be your comfort now during this time of sorrow.
Sue Our sincerest sympathy