Ryan Christopher Kuehl passed away unexpectedly on July 2nd in Austin, TX; he was 33. Ryan was born in San Antonio, TX and attended TMI Episcopal School in San Antonio. He attended Baylor University, where he studied abroad in the Netherlands and Spain before graduating with a Professional Writing degree. Later, Ryan received his MBA in Digital Media Management from St. Edward’s University, which enabled him to pursue his creative passions.
Early in his career, Ryan worked as the Market Research Specialist for Texas Monthly Magazine and later as the Customer Portal Project Manager for Dun and Bradstreet Co. Over the past three years, Ryan found his true calling working as a freelance production contractor, working in production of a variety of TV commercials, series, and short films, finding fulfillment in the creative and technical skills commonly found in this field. Additionally, Ryan assisted others by channeling his talents into independent side projects in his free time. He poured his heart and soul into every aspect of his craft, from writing and production to the camera work required to bring these projects to fruition.
While these achievements are defining in their own right, they do not fully encompass the man he was. What defined Ryan’s spirit most was his love for learning, his friends & family, and the outdoors.
Ryan was an adventurous daredevil that embraced the outdoors with passion. When he wasn’t mountain biking, rock climbing, or hiking with friends and family, he was planning his next cross-country camping trip to locales such a Big Bend National Park, the Moab Desert and Yosemite. Ryan could often be seen traveling or playing disc golf with his one-eyed cocker spaniel companion, Bana, whom he rescued as a puppy. He was an excellent tennis player and loved to play in family competitions and with friends.
Ryan resided in Austin and is survived by his parents, Mark and Libby Kuehl of Horseshoe Bay, TX, his sister, Katie Kuehl Rooney of Dallas, TX and many other family members and close friends with whom he remained close from every stage of his life. His untimely passing will never change the way he lived. On Saturday, July 13th the family would like to invite Ryan's friends to attend a casual, outdoor Memorial Service in his honor at 9:30 AM at UMLAUF Sculpture Garden in Zilker Park, located at 605 Azie Morton Rd., Austin TX, 78704.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ryan’s name to Austin Pets Alive!, the animal shelter from which he adopted Bana, Austin Ridge Riders, an organization that helps develop and maintain bike trails, the US National Park Service, or just go outside and enjoy the day.
