Ryan Duaine Lohr, 47 passed away peacefully from this life at his home in Gering, NE surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday August 13th, 2022, after a courageously fought 8 month battle with colon cancer.
Ryan was born February 22, 1975 in Greeley CO to Rick and Peggy (Schaeffer) Lohr. He attended kindergarten in Kersey CO, attended grade school for a short time in LaSalle, CO and then went back to Kersey, where he finished out high school and graduated from Platte Valley High School.
On July 23, 2005, he married the love of his life, Andrea Sankey, of Bayard. Together they had two daughters, Allee Ryan and Alexee Nicole, joining their older brothers Ryan Dean and Rawlyn Del.
Ryan’s friend and family would describe him as bigger than life. His ability to capture a room was one of the things that made him so special. He never met a stranger and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. Ryan had a great sense of humor and always kept us all laughing. Ryan loved his family deeply and fiercely. He was an excellent husband who loved Andrea more than life and he was the best dad who loved and supported his children immensely; he was their biggest fan.
Ryan lived his life to the fullest. Traveling and taking adventures at every opportunity. He loved trips to Mexico with friends and family and never missed a rally in Sturgis until this year. He and Andrea spend a great deal of time riding their bike, including some long miles to places like Las Vegas and Phoenix. Ryan loved the lake and spent countless hours on the boat making memories with family and friends.
Ryan was well liked and loved in the community. During his 20 years with the Scottsbluff Fire Department, he became a hero to many, including his fellow firefighters.
Ryan was also well known in the softball world. He coached or helped coach many of his daughters teams over the last many years. He was knowledgeable, fair, and all the girls looked up to him and trusted him to lead the. He loved watching his girls grow in their abilities and love of the sport.
The past couple of years Ryan worked tirelessly building his family’s dream house. Countless hours, and Ryan’s blood, sweat, and tears went into the shop house he built. It turned out to be a beautiful home and place of solace for his family as they navigate a new world without their Ryan in it.
In the days leading up to his death, Ryan received many beautiful tribute letters from friends, family, his fire family, community members, former players, and even from people who never knew Ryan personally, but knew of him and what an incredible man he was and how many lives he touched.
Ryan is at peace now, seated next to his savior, his body is whole again, and he has answered his final call. We will miss him terribly, but look forward to when we get to see him again for eternity.
Ryan was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Russel and Delores Lohr and maternal grandfather, Dwain Schaeffer.
His wife, Andrea, survives him, his dad Rick his mother Peggy, his 4 children Ryan (Cassandra), Rawlyn, Allee and Alexee, grandson Ryker, maternal Grandmother Rose Schaeffer, nieces, and numbers cousins, aunts, and uncles.
His funeral service will be held Saturday, August 20, at 1:00 pm, at Western Nebraska Community College, with burial to follow at the Gering Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Ryan’s life following the burial at 230710 Highland Rd. Scottsbluff, NE. In lieu of flowers, there has been a memorial fund set up at Riverstone Bank in Scottsbluff that will benefit Ryan’s daughters for college. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.geringchapel.com. Gering Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.