Ryan Weidler’s ideal summer day would have included sports, especially basketball, golf, baseball, and outdoor fun and laughter with family and friends. That’s why, twenty years ago, following Ryan’s sudden and unexpected death, his family made the passionate decision to create an annual charity golf tournament, hoping to produce something that would impact others – celebrating his legacy.
As a multi-sport athlete through high school and a member of the Dickinson College basketball team, Ryan underwent all of the required physicals, yet nothing was detected, and he continued his impressive athletics. Ryan was a dynamo on and off the court, graduating summa cum laude with an economics degree. He went on to become a financial consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, and Deloitte.
Ryan was working hard to build his career and personally was looking forward to his upcoming wedding to his fiancée when he died suddenly of an arrhythmia at just 26 years old. His mother, Carol, says the research SADS shared with their family following his passing supported them immensely. A connection was formed with SADS that has only grown stronger over the past twenty years. SADS is one of the proud recipients of the golf tournament proceeds and was the first foundation with which the Weidler family worked. Ironically, before Ryan’s death, he had expressed his realization of the importance of contributing to causes greater than himself.
Ryan Weidler’s ideal summer day would include sports, especially basketball, golf, and baseball, and outdoor fun and laughter with family and friends. That’s why, twenty years ago, following Ryan’s sudden and unexpected death, his family made the passionate decision to create an annual charity golf tournament, hoping to produce something that would impact others – celebrating his legacy.
Ryan’s sister and brother-in-law’s oldest son was born a month after Ryan died. The couple learned their son had an arrhythmia corrected through an ablation. Though their son’s arrhythmia was different from his uncle’s, Ryan’s passing brought attention to the numerous heart arrhythmias that exist.
Ryan would do anything for anyone, especially his family. One time, Ryan was white-water rafting with his family, and his cousin fell overboard. He jumped in to help him. He was just that kind of guy. It’s fitting
that for twenty years, his family has carried on Ryan’s giving spirit, forging connections with people and charities supporting research, genetic testing, youth programs, and CPR and AED preparedness.
In honor of Ryan’s giving spirit, the Weidler, Speece, and O’Donnell family donates the proceeds of the golf tournament to the following charities:
- SADS Foundation – 20 years
- Youth Heart Watch at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) – 4 years
- Beacon School Technology Center renamed Ryan Weidler Learning Center at George Washington High School – 1 year
- Philly Triple Threat Basketball – 1 year
- ALS – 1 year
- Grace Lutheran Church, Norristown, PA -new sports equipment for the church’s after-school program & summer day camp – 1 year
- Simon’s Heart – 5 years
This year’s 20th annual Ryan Weidler Golf Tournament will take place in Blue Bell, PA, on Monday, July 28. You can view more details and join them here.
Please honor the Weidler, O’Donnell, and Speece family’s work and love for their son by donating in Ryan’s name here.