Hobart “Rye” Van Deusen

July 30, 1967 - March 4, 2024

Hobart Ryerson Van Deusen, 56, of Fairfield, CT, known to family, friends, and colleagues as “Rye”, passed away on March 4, 2024. Rye was born July 30, 1967, in Montclair, New Jersey. He was the beloved son of Hobart D. Van Deusen of Lakeville, CT, Mary H. Van Deusen of Westport, CT, and stepmother, Nancy Van Deusen of Lakeville, CT.

Rye grew up in Westport and graduated from Staples High School in 1985. He studied business and geology at Skidmore College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1989.

Rye began his professional career at Galson Laboratories and then continued at Colden Corporation, working as a certified industrial hygienist and project manager. That work took him to sites across the country and overseas, confirming his love of travel and exploring new places. In 2008, he joined Con Edison in New York City, where he was a Senior Auditor. He made many lifelong friends along the way, especially his Galson circle.

Rye was intelligent, kind, curious, and funny (some would say “Rye-larious”). He loved his family, his friends, animals, movies, history, and exercising his knowledge of trivia at any opportunity. He had an adventurous streak – he sought out the tallest, fastest roller coasters to ride and celebrated his 30th birthday by skydiving with his friend, Matt. One of his greatest joys in recent years was paddling his kayak on the ponds, lakes, and rivers of Connecticut with his sister, Heather, and her partner, Michael, observing the wildlife and enjoying the tranquility of the natural world. On the flip side, Rye liked to rock! and attended many concerts of his favorite bands with his sister, Holly, and his brother-in-law, Jim.

In addition to his parents, Rye leaves to cherish his memory, his sister, Heather Van Deusen, and her partner, Michael Bronfenbrenner, West Suffield, CT; his sister, Holly Van Deusen and her husband, Jim Siegel, West Hartford, CT; his uncle, Schuyler Huntoon, Fairfield, CT; his childhood friends, Peter Rotolo, John Stofan, and Matthew Richards, and their families, including his two god-sons; many other friends and coworkers; and of course his beloved cat, Louie.

We loved Rye dearly. We will miss the sound of his voice, his laugh, his chatter, his amazing organizational skills, his hugs, and most of all, the sweetness at the core of his being.

A memorial service for Rye will take place on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, at 11a.m. at Christ and Holy Trinity Church (Branson Hall), 75 Church Lane, in Westport, CT. Funeral arrangements are by Harding Funeral Home in Westport. At a later date, there will be a small ceremony for family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to PAWS in Norwalk, CT ( pawsct.org ), or the American Red Cross.