Ryan Joseph Sullivan

Ryan Joseph Sullivan, 51, passed away unexpectedly on April 15, 2026, near Ruidoso, New Mexico. A resident of both Ruidoso, NM, and Gladwin, MI, Ryan was a man of extraordinary light and an adventurous spirit who found beauty in every corner of the world he explored.

Ryan's thirst for adventure led him to live abroad in Ireland, France, Chile, and Mexico—where his true heart resided. A gifted linguist fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, he effortlessly connected with people at all levels by sharing their humor and deeply respecting their local way of life. This authentic bond led his friends in Mexico to affectionately say he possessed a “corazón marrón.”

He was happiest outdoors, and New Mexico offered him the mountains, trails, and quiet he loved alongside his "lady." He also loved spending time on his kayak in Michigan. Ryan was famous for his radiant smile, and his personal mission was to "be the light that lifts others up," a goal he achieved daily through his kindness and infectious humor. In Ruidoso, he lived this mission by volunteering at the High Mountain Youth Project. Whether providing math tutoring, shooting hoops, hitting the volleyball, or simply talking, Ryan met kids from all walks of life exactly where they were.

An absolute information sponge, Ryan was widely known as a walking encyclopedia. Deep learning was an innate, effortless reflex for him; he possessed a brilliant mind capable of pulling nearly any historical context out of thin air, tracking world events long before they hit the mainstream, and recalling sports statistics from eras predating his own lifetime. His deep mental archive spanned music of nearly any genre and, naturally, an exhaustive, first-hand knowledge of world travel.

Ryan graduated from Wauwatosa East High School in Wisconsin, and went on to graduate from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Though his career path eventually took him through diverse professional landscapes, guiding was where his true career passion always remained. Driven by his love for culture and deep connection to the outdoors, he spent his early years after graduating from UC-Boulder, working as an Adventure and Culture Guide in Mexico for Trek America. After moving to Portland, Oregon, his razor-sharp analytical skills led him to McCullough Research. There, he excelled as a Forensic Accountant, notably serving on the expert witness team to build the case against Enron. He later completed his MBA in Management Consulting at Grenoble Ecole de Management in Grenoble, France. His gregarious personality and professional integrity subsequently led him to a career as the Director of International Business Development at MDF Instruments for 14 years. Prior to MDF, Ryan was employed by Journey Mexico as Director of Sales and a field guide living in Creel, Chihuahua; Oaxaca, Mexico; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He was also a Partner in Sullivan Global Consulting.

Ryan is survived by his beloved wife, Michelle (née Dombrowski), and their loyal dog, Daisy, who was his constant companion. The two met in Portland, Oregon, in 2004, sparking a beautiful, deeply aligned 22-year relationship. True to their shared sense of adventure and love for the outdoors, they were married in Bend, Oregon, in front of a spectacular, snowy waterfall. Surrounded by a close group of friends, they trekked three miles roundtrip through the snow to exchange their vows—a celebration completely 'Dombrowski/Sullivan style' that held true to exactly what represented their relationship.

Ryan is further survived by his beloved mother, Suzanne Sullivan, and was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Sullivan in 1991. He is the loving brother to Patrick (Aimee), Michael (David McKone), and Mary Sullivan; and a proud uncle to his nephew and godson Gabriel and nieces Lainey, Iona, and Sula, and son-in-law to Cindy (Doan) Peacock and Eugene Dombrowski.

Ryan’s magnetic personality allowed him to build deeply meaningful, special friendships that reached far into the hearts of people across the globe. He leaves behind cherished lifelong friends from his grade school to high school days in Wauwatosa; his tight-knit circle from his defining years in Portland, where he built deep roots; his beloved classmates from his MBA program in France; a diverse group of friends in Los Angeles; and a warm community of newer friendships alongside Michelle’s family in Michigan. His heart was also deeply tied to multiple communities across Mexico, most notably his inseparable 'banda' in Puerto Vallarta, with whom he shared life and laughter since 2008. The profound ache of his loss is a testament to how truly he was loved, and while his friends are far too numerous to list, every single one of them will forever carry his unforgettable smile and laugh in their hearts.

Following Ryan's formal wishes, his remains will be laid to rest at Gibson Township Cemetery in Bentley, MI. A celebration of his life will follow at the residence of John Doan at 1774 Hay Rd, Beaverton, MI (near Highwood), on July 11th, 2026 starting at 4:00 pm. An additional informal memorial gathering is planned at the home of Eric Kaye at 9900 W Ridge Rd, Hales Corners, WI, on July 18th at 4:00 pm. Further details to follow.

In honor of Ryan's spirit, Michelle asks that you share a kind word or a genuine compliment with a stranger or loved one today. Be the light.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sepsis Alliance on a dedicated page created for Ryan. Although he survived severe septic shock years ago, Post-Sepsis Syndrome (PSS) quietly took an insidious physical and neurological toll on his system. The hope is to bring vital awareness to this hidden condition, ensuring that sharing Ryan’s invisible battle can help light the way for others:

https://sepsisalliancememorialgifts.funraise.org/fundraiser/ryan-sullivan