The final spreading of Ryan's ashes in the bay. Somers Point, NJ.

Ryan and I at the end of The Dragon's Tail ride standing next to the tree of shame.

Rolling to Tomahawk Wi deer camp in the diesel on 35's!!!! Ryan and Eddy rolling shotgun!!!!! 

Ryan carved this eagle a few years back, he wanted my father to have it and keep it at our camp in Tomahawk WI...Ryan would come up for the fall ride and fishing when he was free. He loved coming up to get away from the city, so Ed thought some of him should rest here.....

Almost 4 years ago, Ryan declared he was going to paint the Harley for my birthday. As far as I know of, he had never done that sort of thing before. I knew he could do it though. All he needed was a little practice. At seventeen, he was invincible. He stripped the bike down to bare frame, sand blasted everything and went at it. I was pleasantly surprised at how good he actually did. Got a few runs in the clear coat, but the paint was just fine.
He could do anything if he put his mind to it. 

It was the first salmon season for us. Even though we didn't have waders, we went anyway. It was exhillerating to try fishing for something different. We waded for a couple hours in water that was close to 38 degrees. It was kinda dissapointing at first. Here we are getting run over by these fish, and we couldn't catch a one. Litterally, the fish were bumping into our legs as we tried to go upstream. We finally reached the dam and joined some others around a hole about the size of a Volkswagon. Ryan had just gone to the shore to repair his line when the game warden showed up checking licenses. Ryan wasn't old enough to need one yet but I had to be with him. The warden needed to see mine so Ryan took my rod while I walked over. The warden started laughing and stated we deserved to catch a fish because of not having waders. I showed him my license about the same time Ryan yelled, "I got one". I looked at the warden and said, "Now see what ya did"? He laughed again and left. It was the only one we caught that day. But the next day we caught 4 more. 

God I miss my fishin buddy. 

The two men he loved most in the world. And quite possibly the two that loved him the most. It was an honor to put my son where his grandfather could watch over him. 

He was the only other person that I allowed to touch his box prior to spreading the ashes. 

We got this from our neighbors, the Kitchings. It had some engine noise and didn't run all that well. After replacing a bent valve and some other fixes, Ryan was up and running. He kept going around the yard like it was a race track. He loved that bike, but several tickets later, he came to the realization that it needed to go. After he sold it he would tell me how much he missed it. He loved to ride.

We couldn't have picked a more perfect day. 
It was his favorite hunting spot and he spoke of it fondly and often. I know this is where he would have wanted to go. Rest in peace.

There are so many memories and good times, it hardly seems right not to mention them. But where do you start? And why does it end?

 

It was after the Fall Ride last year and the last time I saw Ryan when he said, "I'm going to miss you the most." Although he was teased about it he didn't seem to mind as he was very sincere...and so sweet.  I miss you the most now Ryan.

This is Ryan's final resting place.  It was a heart-heavy day, but a beautiful place.  He always talked about this rock...his rock.  He is where he wants to be.  God provided a beautiful Autumn day to say goodbye to my brother.  He will forever live on in the lives of all he has touched.  Love you bubby.....

I have notice throughout the pics that Ryan was always giving a thumbs up to everyone every since he was little!

this truck is what first started conversation between ryan and myself. backing it into one of the bays at work, shutting the garage door, and letting it run. stunk up the whole place, and we always gave him a hard time about it. but he always just smiled, revved the hell out of it , garbage cans in the bed and all, and took off out the door. 

My son had this thing in a million pieces in the garage. stripped it all down and painted for me, for my birthday one year. He did an awesome job. 

Ed,Ryan all wet,but so excite about Ryans first Buck..

Ed,Ryan,Rex my brother.After the big hunting day

The Herman family shaped my childhood, simple as that. I have very few memories as a child that didn't involve them in some way. Us kids did everything together, we had the most amazing childhood that I think any kid would be jealous of. Ryan was a one of a kind kid, he was like a brother to me. I have so many amazing stories to share but one of my fondest memories was when I started pre-first at a school that Ryan had gone to for a year already, so he already knew his way around and what to do. I was so nervous to go to a new place where I didn't know anyone in my class or where to go. Even though he teased me about being scared, when we got on the bus he sat next to me and told me all about how much I'd like school and how much fun he had there and how I would do great. He walked me to my classroom and showed me where to go for lunch and where the bathrooms were. Needless to say I felt much more confident going into class on that first day thanks to him. That was just Ryan in a nutshell; cute, funny kid who liked to joke around and have fun but if you needed it, he would always be there for you to help you out in anyway he could. Words cannot discribe how much I'll miss him. His family is in my prayers. 

The weight of these things almost dragged Ryan back down the hill. It was a very good day.

It was in West Virginia at Sherry and Jeffs house. Going up the valley we spooked a few deer and Ryan got all excited and wanted to shoot right away. I convinced him to wait,  we will catch up to them. We walked up the valley to the cul de sac and took up position. I knew they would circle around and we waited. Soon enough I spotted them comming back and told him to take up position. A 9 point walked out on the bluff and i waited for the shot that never came. The deer walked around the corner and was gone. I asked him why he didn't shoot it. He had been watching the wrong area and never saw it. Just then I saw 2 more comming the same way and told him to get ready. This one came out just as the 9 point had, and stood there. When the gun went off, I thought he had missed it. But it soon came down the hill and fell over. Ryan was so excited, he bolted up and ran to where it was when i heard another shot. I yelled and asked why he shot it again. He said it was still moving. I told him the deer wasn't going anywhere and it died. Luckily the second shot had just grazed it so no harm done. It was a very good day despite the rain.