Michael L. Ruoff Jr., 31

Life took us in seperate directions once he moved away. I will live for the memories we shared. Mike would change hobbies so quickly... dirt bike riding, moto cross... He always new that he wanted to serve for our country. I will always be so proud of him.

Mike and I attended high school together, and strangely enough, ended up serving in the same unit a couple years after graduation. We had some great times bow hunting and tearing up the backroads near Ft. Carson. Mike is sorely missed.

Mike and I were roommates in Colorado. He loved his family very much and was a great friend. We miss you Mike.

Mike and I were really good friends when he lived in the town of Willits Ca. We'd skip the bus and walk home through the woods every day, played sports, and he'd come pick me up on his motorcycle when it snowed and we'd do all sorts of crazy things. He moved at the start of high school and we lost touch. I tried to Facebook him just a few weeks ago to see if he was on there and he wasn't but a few days ago I found out of his passing and am deeply sorry for his family and close friends. Saying he was a great guy would be an understatement. Miss you much Mike...
Sylas Grimm

I served with Mike at Ft. Carson and Ft. Bliss and he was an amazing person and soldier. We rode and crashed dirt bikes at Bliss and made the move to Colorado together. I saw Mike go from wild child to loving husband and father. He was a great friend and will be missed by all. Brave Rifles

I served with Sgt Ruoff (Mike) at Ft. Carson in F- troop 2/3 ACR. I was tasked to help Mike clean out one of the bases houses that a soldier from the troop had abandoned. It was a disaster! But, I remember it not being so bad because he was easy-going and great to work with. We cleaned that house griping the whole time, but looking back it was a good day. I will miss Mike and I know his soldiers will too.

My wife and I met Mike and his family at Ft. Carson while we were stationed there. They lived next door to a friend in my unit, Ben (66th MI, 3rd ACR). Mike was a great guy and always had a smile or a funny story to tell. I remember when the beam in front of their place cracked, Mike zip tied it with about 20 zip ties to support it! Awesome. We went fishing, shooting, had bbq's, and we were at the hospital when his first child was born. To this day, we still think and smile about Mike's great outlook and how he always wanted to make everyone around him laugh. Mike, you are definitely missed. With love, Brian and Becky.

I served with Sgt Ruoff at Ft. Carson in F Troop, 2/3 ACR. I had the pleasure of going through the "Spur Ride" and becoming a fellow Spur Holder with Sgt Ruoff. He had a great attitude and was an outstanding soldier. Brave Rifles.