To know Alex was to love Alex, as he shared his pure joy and enthusiasm for life with all those with whom he crossed paths.
Adoring husband, beloved son, loving and engaged uncle, favorite coach, and genuine friend to everyone, Alex was an example of Christlike love and service all his life.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Janice and Roland Ruegner, he was an easy baby turned energetic child. (His parents admit the "terrible twos" lasted from about age two to eighteen.) As he grew up in Riverton, Utah, it was clear Alex was a loving child, always smiling and never embarrassed to show affection, traits that would carry through to adulthood.
Alex was a natural and life-long athlete. He played baseball at a young age, but was distracted by dandelions and switched to soccer, the sport where he truly excelled. Soccer played an integral role throughout his life, both as a talented player and a coach. Alex developed his talents at annual summer soccer camps, through club soccer, and collegiately on athletic scholarship at William Penn University, and later BYU-Hawaii, where he played 3 years, and also graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2010.
In addition, he was a dedicated and fun-loving coach to hundreds of players during his tenure at BYU-Hawaii as Men’s Assistant Coach and Women’s Head Coach. Alex was also an avid skier and all-around lover of the outdoors.
As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Alex had a firm testimony of his Savior, and shared that truth with friends and family, including the people of Argentina during his service as a full-time missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission, from 2004-2006.
Alex was always industrious, with jobs in lawn care, security, software sales, and most recently aviation. His dream was to become a pilot, and he had taken the first steps toward fulfilling his dream. He was loved by his many work families.
Alex had a heart of gold, and naturally, loved many. None so much as his sweet wife Kendra.
In 2017, Alex and Kendra were set up on a blind date. Soon after, Alex would claim he pretty much knew she was "the one.” He patiently waited until Kendra knew with absolute certainty that she wanted to spend the rest of eternity with him. He was head over heels in love with her, and she with him, and on October 17, 2019 they were married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Deeply in love, they were excited to move into their first house and build a beautiful, adventure-filled life together.
Alex leaves behind his wife Kendra Stephenson Ruegner, parents Roland Gerhardt Ruegner and Janice Blackhurst Ruegner, siblings Ryan (Andrea) and Chari (Seth), grandparents Reinhold and Noni Ruegner, adorable nieces and nephews, a large and supportive extended family, and an incredible amount of friends - too many to count.
Alex also leaves behind a legacy of goodness, optimism, faith, and contagious joy. Even death cannot dim the light and influence this exceptionally good soul had on the lives of so many.
Visitation Information:
Sunday, July 12
6:00-8:00pm
Larkin Mortuary Riverton
3688 W. 12600 S.
Riverton, Utah 84065
Graveside Funeral Service:
Monday, July 13
10:00am
Larkin Sunset Gardens
1950 East 10600 South
Sandy, Utah 84092
For both Visitation and Graveside Service:
Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
For Graveside Service: bring your own chair, umbrella or hat, and water.
I cannot imagine your loss, Roland, Janice, Chari, and Ryan. And his sweet wife. My heart goes out to you in buckets. May you be able to find solace; somehow, somewhere. Bless you
So sad to hear this. Alex was kind and always made people feel good- Sending light and love to his wife and family. RIP Alex.
My dear friends Janice and Roland
My heart truly hurts right now. Alex was very special to our family. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are are with you and your family. We just love that young man. Heaven received one of the best.
Love you all
Cheri and Dell Chryst.
Alex will be missed by many but his spirit and legacy will live on forever. He was truly a one of a kind and I will be forever grateful for his love and friendship to our family, especially Chelsea (Chubs)!
Alex spent numerous hours in our home and always kept us laughing or engrossed in great conversation.
My heart goes out to darling Kendra and the entire family. I know how much he loved you all. May you find peace in your hearts ❤️
I played with and against Alex for many years in comp and high school soccer. I vividly remember getting beat twice in one game on defense for spectacular goals (both headers in fact) that still haunt me today. He was a good friend and I admired him both on and off the field. Alex, carry on with the good work my friend. To his wife and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Families are forever.
Words cannot express the deep grief I feel over Alex’s passing. I didn’t know your children, but I know you as family and as parents, you both are loving parents and grandparents. I cannot imagine the depth of heartache and grief you are experiencing. You, your children, your siblings, and Alex’s wife have been in my prayers. I am praying for comfort and solace at this tender time. I am so sorry you are experiencing this heartache. I love you.
Words can't express the deep sadness in our hearts ,at the loss of this exceptional young man .So many great memories of Alex and our son Tim playing Soccer together thru the years along with other great young men .May you always know how much Rhonda and I appreciate your friendship you will be in our thoughts and prayers continually and look forward to the day when your family and ours can reunite with Alex . May God be with you and less you in all your endeavors until that great day ♥️ All our Love Kim and Rhonda Rindlisbach
Getting to know Alex and Kendra has been one of the sweetest joys of our life. Alex was so full of joy and love and made us feel that we were always loved. We will dearly miss him but we will always have sweet memories. He was blessed to find his dear Kendra and she will always be in our hearts. We pray for her and the family always. Our dearest love, Laurie and Paul Cook
Dear Janice and Roland: We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Saying good-bye to our loved ones is never easy especially when it is so untimely. We hold you and your family in our hearts and our prayers. Please call if we can be of help. 801-942-4433.
I knew Alex in Hawaii and he truly was a ray of sunshine and joy. I send my love to those grieving him, his life, and all he left behind. I’m glad to know he is at peace and that families are forever. May we all try and keep his spirit of happiness and love alive.
Alex, you are gone too soon, our dear friend. It has been a privilege to have known you from your youth to adulthood. We will miss your big smile and wave as you greeted us while driving down the street and to catching up with your recent life activities at Utah football games. Your life has been one of robust adventure and service. We will sorely miss you.
Chuck & Kaye Spence
One of the wonderful blessings in marring LuAnn and being part of the Sudbury family was meeting Alex. He treated me like we had know each other for forever. My heart and soul is sad from this news. The last time we saw Alex was at the wedding reception. He looked so happy. I can just imagine the happiness he had these last few months. I send my love for him and hope that Gods peace and loving arms are felt by you all at this time.
I loved Alex, as all of us did. He was such a great person. We all will miss him and playing games in the yard with him (that was the last thing I did with him on Father's day). My love goes out to Kendra, so glad I could come to your wedding. I heart is breaking with you.
What a privilege for all of us, knowing and sharing a bit of time with Alex. Over the years, wherever Alex was things were better simply because of his gentle giving. With Alex, you knew that it was his faith in goodness that lifted and motivated him. Ulterior motives were not his way. This is not the place to recount the hundreds of conversations, activities, and life planning sessions where a teenager initiated contact and friendship with an "old man". But, Alex never treated me old. Just like he never treated anyone any way, but good and kind. On a personal note, Alex and I share the same birthday, the same love of Hawaii, and the same deep love for a few good (if less faith filled) people than him. I trust that his gentle ways will continue to touch many. Thanks to all who gave us Alex.
Kendra, We were shocked and saddened when Dayna told us the news. You are in our thoughts and prayers and hearts. May our Father in Heaven's spirit bless and comfort you especially at this tender time. We love you!
Patti and "papa" Smart
Dear Kendra,
Our family was so saddened to hear of Alex's passing. Alex coached our daughter, Leah, for a year and he made such a tremendous impact on her in that year. One of the special fun things he did was to have each girl create a silly "handshake" with him; the girls loved lining up in front of Alex and doing their handshakes, one by one! I would be so happy to send you a video of that if you feel up to sending me your email address. We will miss him and will keep you in our prayers.
With love,
Elizabeth, Will, and Leah Thackeray
elizabeth.thackeray@hsc.utah.edu
Roland and Janice, We are both saddened to hear of Alex’s death. Paul coached Alex when he was 9. As the years went by both of our Sons Eric and Andy played with Alex for 4 years on the Riverton High team. Great times and great memories. Alex put his “All” in the game with Coach Paul Mozier. We enjoyed watching him play. The great memories we all will had of Alex. Pray the Holy Ghost will comfort your family at this time of loss of Alex. Love, Paul & Patti, Andy and Eric Ottoson. Riverton, Utah.
Fresh from Africa, I had recently moved into the ward. I was the only African man in the congregation. I have never experienced this before, and fitting in was a puzzle for me. I always sat with my wife during Sacrament meeting, but when we split to class I always stayed on my phone because I didn't think anybody really cared very much. Then Alex moved in. One day, as I was pondering, I felt a hand on my shoulder and was met with a big smile and an enthusiastic voice that conveyed the message to me as if to say, "I see you. I love you. I want to be your friend." I always sat alone but he sat right next to me. We chatted about life, career, and marriage. I never felt alone in class again. I knew Alex would always be there and I felt like I'd found a true friend. We would see each other when he was driving to work, he'd stop his car and look at me, and with his big, charming smile, he'd say in a big voice, "How are you my brother?" His greetings built confidence in me and surity that there was somebody who had noticed me and wanted to make sure that I felt comfortable and that I knew I had a contribution to make. His charisma in friendship became an invincible bridge that connected us. Alex, in the short time I knew you, you blessed my life tremendously. Until we meet again, my friend.
Janice and Roland, we are so sorry to hear about Alex. It is so hard to say goodbye to a child. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Carolyn and Ron