California Surveyors Forums

It is with a very heavy heart that I must inform all of you of the passing of Ryan Michael Versteeg, PLS 7809.

Ryan passed away last night as a result of a tragic accident.

He leaves behind wife, Staneli, PLS 7967, and two children, Maya and Nathan.

Ryan was a true professional and heavily involved in CLSA at Chapter and State levels. He was also a loving husband and very proud father.

He will be missed. I will miss him.

As more information becomes available, I will share it. As soon as we have details about service, they will be posted.

For now, Staneli, Maya, and Nathan, you have our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes.

Very regretfully,

Ian Wilson
President - CLSA 2017.

I've received texts on this all morning. This is absolutely terrible news...very sad. In addition to personally considering Ryan as a friend and just a very nice guy, enforcement staff at BPELSG is very sad to hear about this. They all very much liked him. I just can't imagine the heartache on Staneli and the kids. Very sad day...

I thought I made a post but it must not have gone through, so if this is a double post my apologies.

This is quite a shock. We both were student assistant surveyors with L.A. Department of Water and Power, and I found him immediately likeable and easy-going. We have remained connected through Facebook and were just talking about a concert we both attended, so I am pretty stunned at this news.

This is very sad to hear, and I feel terrible for his family.

One of the best. Way too young.

My deepest condolences to the Versteeg family. They will be in my thoughts & prayers.

I just met Ryan for the first time at the Caltrans Survey Academy a couple of months ago, but felt like I already knew him through this forum and working with him on CLSA/CSRC workshops. This is very tragic news.

As some of you know, I am collector of antique Coleman style lanterns. I will be asking for a light up around the world through the lantern collecting community on behalf of Ryan and his family. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Scott P. Martin

My God, this is terrible. My heart is heavy. Please let me know what I can do. I am heartbroken.

My condolences to the family. Does anyone know if there is a donation site to help the family out?

Been "Talking" with him via the internet for several years. We are going to miss him

I just don't have the words for anything else.

SJ

I just received the upsetting news from the Central Office. Ryan will be missed by all who met him.

My condolences and prayers to his family, friends and colleagues.

God bless.

Roger

I am not sure how many members here also visit the RPLS Today forum, but Ric Moore posted about this tragic, devastating loss there today. It is clear that Ryan's friendships, discussions of family, and professional influence extended well beyond the borders of California.

https://rplstoday.com/community/threads ... eg.331156/

Although I did not really know him personally, we always greeted each other and I always appreciated his insights! That's a real tragedy for such a young man and his family. My sincere condolences to the family.

A site has been set up to help with the expenses. This was set up by the owner of the RPLS website, so it is legitimate.

https://www.gofundme.com/ryan-versteeg

SPMPLS wrote:A site has been set up to help with the expenses. This was set up by the owner of the RPLS website, so it is legitimate.

https://www.gofundme.com/ryan-versteeg

Up to $1,700 now. Goal is $5,000.

Now at $4,260.

I cannot recall precisely when I met Ryan Versteeg, but I believe he may have been a CalPoly student and we likely met at a school function while he was student. I very much enjoyed his friendship for many years.

Professionally, as a land surveyor, Ryan was a student of the practice of land surveying – even having been licensed since 2001. When it came to practice issues, he was a thinker, a ponderer. He noticed and understood the nuances. As a professional, he was a touchstone for me. He had education and experience, moreover he had an open mind, he welcomed new ideas and offered thoughtful conversation. He was a well-reasoned man.

Over the years, we have attended many meetings together and often shared drinks afterwards. He was reserved and measured by nature. In open meetings, oftentimes with more than 50 attendees, he didn’t find any reason to stand up and raise the same argument if someone had already expressed his viewpoint. However, he had voice. When he spoke, I listened carefully. I knew he had considered all of the information and he had a reasoned perspective before he chose to speak. He was always quick to offer a handshake and a friendly smile. He had a warm presence.

Ryan was an active member of the California Land Surveyor’s Association, Riverside/San Bernardino chapter. He also actively participated, at the state level, as a director from that chapter for the last several years. He attended all of the meetings and always completed his assignments. Responsible, diligent are words that quickly come to mind. He was active on their Joint Professional Practices Committee. I will leave it there, as I am sure someone from his chapter will write at length about his dedication and service to the organization. In the last few months, he told me he was going to step back to allow his wife, Stanelli, also a professional land surveyor, the opportunity to serve in CLSA. He expressed his gratefulness that Staneli had allowed him to serve so many years, but now it was her turn, and that he looked forward to being home with the kids. He recently attended our quarterly virtual (online and call in) Directors meeting with the Orange County Chapter, held in warehouse - he had received a personal invitation. He was well liked and highly respected among our chapter's members.

He recently went to work at Caltrans. His reasoning was to have a fixed schedule – after working many long weeks over the last several years –he thought he could easily put in 20 years and qualify for the paid healthcare in retirement. More importantly, the fixed schedule would allow him more time to with his family. He often spoke about his family activities, most recently a soapbox derby (presumably associated with a scouting program). Ryan was a family man.

A couple of weeks ago Ryan and I unexpected ran into each other, each with a coffee in hand. It was a pleasant surprise. We discussed how he liked his new car, music, the new job and other everyday talk. Had I known it would be last time we would speak, I would have liked to have told him how much I valued his friendship.

Ryan Versteeg was good man. I was looking forward to seeing him and his family at a scheduled baseball game tonight - they attended every year. I will miss him greatly.

David Woolley

Nice thoughts Dave

Well said David, well said...

I know his colleagues in Caltrans District 8 thought as highly of him in as we, his colleagues from CLSA, do.

Agree, good post Dave. I agree with your "reserved and measured" assessment.

Yes he was a Cal Poly Pomona guy.

Thank you, Dave, for taking the time to share such wonderful memories.

To the Versteeg family:

I didn't know Ryan personally but I've heard his name around and he was well respected. I send my condolences for your loss.

Respectfully yours,

Paul Craft

Having just heard of this tragic and sad news yesterday, I'm deeply saddened by it. I too want to express my sincere condolences to the Versteeg family. I've known Ryan for many years now through CLSA and found him to be a man of great integrity, knowledge and sincerity. I appreciated Ryan's quiet demeanor as he would ponder things as they were being discussed, and when he spoke I always listened, because in my mind I felt that what he was saying was well thought out and sincere. I will miss Ryan and his contributions to the surveying profession and fondly remember the conversations I've had with him in the past, and pray that the Versteeg family will be comforted in this time of sorrow.

Greg Hopkins

As a reminder, a Gofund me page has been set up. The family will need some assistance with burial and related arrangements. If you have the ability, please consider making a donation. The family is very appreciative of this campaign.

https://www.gofundme.com/ryan-versteeg

My deepest condolences to all that were close to him and his family.
Ryan always had good things to say on this board and I enjoyed the time we had during past conferences.
He will truly be missed by many. RIP my friend.

I guess there was a greater need for him to clarify a discrepancy up at the celestial baseline.