Today we grieve the loss of Ryan Alexander Groh, who took his final ride at the age of 48 on Friday, March 18, 2022. Ryan passed away from an undetermined medical reason while riding his dirt bike.
Ryan is a native of Corvallis, Oregon, and enlisted in the Oregon Army National Guard as an Infantryman. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in November 1997 and joined the active Army in 2003 in order to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course. After earning the Green Beret in 2005 he was assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Ryan deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant before spending time as a sniper instructor in Fort Bragg, NC. Ryan’s operational deployments as a team sergeant included trips to Albania, Romania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Norway. His most recent assignment was as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Sniper Detachment, Advanced Skills Company 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His contributions to his country were immense, and his legacy will carry on through those he trained and the friendships he grew.
Most importantly, Ryan was a devoted family man, a wonderful father, and a loving and protective husband. His “weird roommates,” as he referred to wife and kids, meant everything to him and were the motivation behind his actions every day. Ryan was extremely laid back but harnessed an unbelievable ability for intricate and abstract thoughts and ideas which kept discussions and adventures interesting. He was also a do-it-yourselfer and he developed strong skills for woodworking, welding and mechanical tasks such as rebuilding motorcycle engines and complex suspension tuning. Ryan was addicted to the freedom and fun-loving community which he found through being an avid dirt bike rider and spent all available time chasing those opportunities.
MSG Groh’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), Meritorious Unit Campaign, Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Additionally, he has earned the Special Forces Tab, Ranger tab, Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Ryan is preceded in death by his father Charles Groh.
Left to honor his memory is his wife, Marissa Watters; his two children, son Cooper Groh, daughter Riley Groh, Mother Dianne Roth, and parent in-laws Scott and Terry Watters, and 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) teammates.
Public Viewing will be held from 5:00-7:00pm (MST) on Wednesday, 30 March 2022 at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
Service will be held with military honors at 2:00pm (MST) on Thursday, 31 March 2022 at the Soldiers Memorial Chapel, 6333 Martinez St. Bldg 1500, Fort Carson, CO 80913.
A celebration of life event will take place from 5:00-8:00pm (MST) on Thursday, 31 March 2022 at Phantom Canyon Brewery, 2 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Gabriele Smith
31 Mar 2022I’m so sorry about your loss. Please let me know if we can help in any way.
Vonne Wilcox
1 Apr 2022My sincere condolences to Marissa and all of Ryan’s family.
Yashar Mosanen
3 Apr 2022RIP good old friend!!
thanks for all the good times in high school and college.
My condolences to his family.
Keir
28 Nov 2022The Early 90’s was a Golden Time to be in Corvallis for our circle of friends.. I often think of those times with a smile and wonder what had happened to all of us after we lost touch.. I ran into Ryan at what seemed, not that long ago, Bomb’s Away of all places, and had a moment to briefly catch up. I can remember him telling me he was trying out for special forces as a medic, was proud of him and what he was trying to accomplish. What I remember Most about Ryan was his smile and good nature towards his friends and his willingness for late night adventures.
For Ryan’s family, I am sorry for your loss, as Ryan has and will always be an unforgettable friend. I am thinking of you buddy and wishing you well in the afterlife.. The next time i am in corvallis i would like to plant a Tree for in Ryan’s name please let me know what tree he would have enjoyed-Keir
Yashar
21 Jan 2023Keir! Hope all is well with you.
Let me know if you need help planting that tree. yasharmosanen@yahoo.com
Last time I saw him was right before he deployed to Iraq. He came to the same restaurant I was at in NW Portland with his mom and wife. I really cared for him, so I told him not to go. I had seen war as a child and did not want anything bad to happen to him.
He had his mind set! I gave him an awkward hug and we said goodbye.
Ryan was my dad’s fav out of my CHS friends.
They had mechanics, wood working and soccer in common and always chatted it up.
He always made us laugh.
Andy Wright
3 Apr 2022I always admired Ryan and was so glad we became high school friends. It had been way too long since we had been in touch. RIP and my condolences to his family.