Garrett Ruskamp, 32, of Lenexa, Kansas, our loving son and brother, passed away Friday, September 18, 2026. Garrett was born April 12, 1994, to Todd and Marybeth (Redwine) Ruskamp in Kansas City, Missouri. Garrett lived for many years in Lenexa but especially loved the years he spent in Colorado as a student.
Garrett graduated from Rockhurst High School in 2012, distinguishing himself academically while also competing on the Rockhurst cross country team. During high school, Garrett earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 181 in Lenexa. His fascination with science and electronics took him to the University of Colorado Boulder to study physics. After taking some detours along the way, Garrett completed his undergraduate work at the University of Kansas, where he was inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics and astronomy honor society, and earned his B.S. in Physics in May 2026. At the time of his death, he was pursuing admission to graduate school.
Garrett developed an early love of snowboarding on family ski trips to Colorado and water-skiing during summer days at the lake. His love of video games began early with Top Gear and Nintendo and PlayStation consoles and continued through more recent favorites, Dark Souls and Signalis. He surprised his family when he built his first computer at age 13, and he later enjoyed moderating a Discord server covering a variety of topics, including computers, for many years. A close friend shared, “Garrett knew so much about everything.” His tastes in food were equally distinctive: he was a vegetarian who insisted on skim milk, loved Taco Bell spicy potato soft tacos, and looked forward to Bing cherries.
Garrett is dearly missed by his loving family: his parents, Todd and Marybeth Ruskamp, whom Garrett designated “Padre” and “Madre”; his siblings, Matthew and his spouse, Payton, of Seattle, Washington, and Mia of Lenexa; his grandmother, Mary Lou Ruskamp of Fremont, Nebraska; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and his many friends from the academic and Discord communities. Garrett was preceded in death by his grandparents, Betty and William Redwine and Alan Ruskamp.
Garrett, you were filled with so much light and life. We mourn that our time with you was far too short, but you will always be in our hearts. Your friendly, caring, and helpful presence brought comfort and peace to those around you. You were a meaningful part of so many lives, and we will all miss you dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. The family will hold a private celebration of Garrett’s life to share memories of him. Condolences may be expressed at www.porterfuneralhome.com. Arr.: Porter Funeral Homes, (913) 438-6444. Porter Funeral Homes and Crematory.