Ryan Wengart

Ryan Wengart was born in 1979, the second child in a loving family, but the oldest son—a distinction that shaped much of his identity. From his earliest days, Ryan was surrounded by warmth and encouragement, yet he quietly harbored a wish that he had been the firstborn instead of his older sister. This secret longing, though never voiced aloud, became a subtle undercurrent in his life, fueling his drive to excel and to be noticed.

As a child, Ryan was always tall for his age, with a sturdy, athletic build that seemed to promise future greatness. His skin was tanned from hours spent outdoors, his brown hair cropped short in a style that hinted at the discipline he would later embrace. His eyes, a striking shade of grey, often appeared serious—almost brooding—but when he did smile, it was as if the clouds parted and sunlight poured through, captivating everyone around him.

School years found Ryan at the center of attention. He was a classic high school “jock,” excelling in football and other sports, earning good grades, and enjoying the admiration of his peers. Yet, beneath the surface, he was not the carefree athlete many assumed. His body language was disciplined, almost stiff, except when he was in the heat of competition, where his natural coordination and power took over. He was serious and self-controlled, rarely letting his emotions show, but those who knew him best recognized the dry humor that sparkled in his eyes and the deep loyalty he offered to his friends.

Ryan’s dreams were never secret: he always wanted to be a Marine. The structure, the order, the sense of purpose—these called to him from a young age. He admired the crisp lines of military uniforms, the rituals of discipline, and the camaraderie of those who served. Chaos and lack of discipline, on the other hand, unsettled him deeply. He thrived in environments where expectations were clear and standards were high.

After graduating high school in 1997 at eighteen, Ryan wasted no time. At nineteen, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, determined to make his mark. The Marines became his proving ground, a place where his athleticism, leadership, and relentless drive could flourish. He quickly earned a reputation as a trustworthy, honorable, and loyal Marine—someone who could be counted on to “do as ordered” and who demanded the same military obedience from those around him.

It was at a Marine Corps Ball in 1998 that Ryan’s life took an unexpected turn. There, he met Elisabeth Adams—Bette—a nurse practitioner who had recently enlisted. Bette was four years older, already seasoned by her experiences in nursing school and the early days of her military service. Despite the age difference, Ryan was drawn to her intelligence, her compassion, and her unwavering commitment to service. Their connection was immediate and deep, and by the summer of 2001, they were married—just three months before the world changed forever on September 11th.

Ryan’s military career was marked by steady advancement and increasing responsibility. In the spring of 2004, he and Bette received orders to the Mountain Warfare Training Center south of Lake Tahoe at Pickel Meadows, where he trained Marines to survive and fight in some of the harshest conditions imaginable—freezing temperatures, treacherous mountain terrain, and the ever-present threat of combat. Ryan thrived in this environment, pushing himself and his trainees to their limits, always demanding excellence, always leading by example. It proved to be a short posting: by that October, with his enlistment up for renewal, he and Bette made the decision together to transition to the Marine Corps Reserves.

Despite the intensity of his professional life, Ryan cherished his family above all. He and Bette welcomed twin boys, Flynn and Tyler, nine years before their retirement from the Marine Corps in 2018. Their son Tyler was born profoundly deaf, and the family learned to sign together as he grew. The boys inherited their father’s athleticism and their mother’s compassion, and the family was tightly knit, bound by love, respect, and shared adventure.

After two decades of service, Ryan retired from the Marines and moved his family to Denver, Colorado. There, he embarked on a new career as a firefighter, bringing the same discipline, courage, and sense of duty to his new role. Bette continued her own mission to help others in times of crisis, working as a nurse practitioner in the emergency room at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO.

Ryan’s personality remained as intense as ever. He approached every challenge “full bore,” whether it was a competition, a rescue, or a family gathering. He was aggressive in sports, a bold leader in emergencies, and a loyal friend to those in need. His emotions were guarded, his aggressiveness always under control, but those who earned his trust found him generous, helpful, and deeply honorable. He valued respect and admiration, not for their own sake, but as recognition of his commitment to doing what was right.

Privately, Ryan’s relationship with God was marked by honesty, sincerity, and humble obedience. He did not speak often of his faith, but it was a quiet foundation beneath all he did. His memories of childhood were happy and healthy, filled with the pride of his parents and the camaraderie of friends. Yet, he carried a few secrets—like the fact that Bette was not his first love, and that he sometimes wished he had been the firstborn. These secrets did not haunt him, but they added depth to his otherwise straightforward character.

Ryan Wengart’s life was a testament to the virtues he held dear: peace, patience, faithfulness, self-control, honor, and duty. Whether leading Marines through mountain storms, rescuing families from burning buildings, or playing drums at family gatherings, he gave his all. He was rugged and good-looking, but not in a way that drew attention—his appeal was in his strength, his reliability, and the quiet intensity that defined him. To those who knew him, Ryan was more than a Marine or a firefighter; he was a man of unwavering commitment, a leader, a friend, and a loving husband and father.

His story is one of honor, duty, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—a life lived not for glory, but for the satisfaction of serving others and upholding the values that mattered most.