Isaiah Rayne Ruhlen, 22, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, of an accidental fentynal toxicity.

What can a father say about the needless death of his young beautiful boy? His life was ended short by an evil that has crept into our community and others like it. As his father I beg all parents and people to get help and find help for anyone who suffers in addiction. In the greatest sadness we offer this.

He was born May 3, 2001 to Ino Riley and Shelley Ruhlen at Mad River hospital. His early years were spent in the mountains around Willow Creek on various vegetable farms. As a young child he was behind the booths of his father’s vegetable farm and became loved by the customers and farmers alike. One of the first words he could spell was “organic”! Time on the land and with farmers at the local markets gave him an early passion for food and people.

Isaiah graduated Arcata High in 2019 where he became passionate about culinary arts. One of his first jobs was at Kneeland Glen Farm stand, where he was loved, thank you Kathy! He worked at Los Bagels as a high-school student. (Thank you, Eddie!) And after high school he took on a second job at Cafe Brio becoming a beloved and cheerful purveyor of the coffee bar. (Thank you, Tamara!)  He was appreciated so deeply by his community and coworkers. He was loved for his cheerful positivity and he radiated this positive nature in every part of his life .

He also took to driving, as he was known to race up and down the local back roads. He would craft videos of this racing with his close friends who will surely miss him. Isaiah loved to drift his cars and drive fast along the steep and curvy Fickle Hill Road. He lived his life with gusto and fearlessness.

In his short life he pushed the limits with himself in every way. Enduring four broken collar bones, he had to break both twice! He skated avidly at the different local parks which he was very passionate about.

Isaiah had four little brothers and one little sister. He loved them and they loved him so deeply, his kind and loving spirit will carry with them for life.

He leaves behind so many sad faces in our community and he will be missed dearly by his family, his coworkers, his many friends of his peer group and the farming community of Humboldt County. He was a true Farmers’ Market kid, his first market was at the age of 6 months and he was part of that community up until the end. He was known by all of the farmers as this happy smiling face, chipper sweet voice and angelic curly hair!

When such a young life is so tragically lost in such a small community the word travels fast, the outpouring of support and kindness and love was almost immediate and continues to this day. Isaiah’s family sends their greatest thanks and welcomes all of the kind words, flowers and letters that have been shared by the staff at Cafe Brio and members of the NCGA and by many of his family friends. Thank you, all. He had so many loved ones and supporters. A special thanks to all of you out there in this area that have reached out to his grieving family. We embrace you all for that. Isaiah would have approved, as he always showed his best to everyone.

Isaiah is preceded by his great-grandmother Irene “Madhavi” Riley and his grandfather Scott Riley.

He is survived by a long list of family, some of which are the following: Ino Riley, Lauren Ballard-Riley, Cayleb Riley, Asher Riley, Shiloh Riley, Soraya Riley, Mike and Sue Ballard and the entire Ballard family, Faith Riley, Bijan Riley, Andrew Riley, Christine Bernard, Lacey Johnston, Jeffery Bernard, Shelley Ruhlen, Gabriel Ruhlen, Josh Ponce and Terry Ruhlen.

His remains were cremated at Ayres Family Cremation. A memorial is wanted but not planned yet.

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