Help Support Darcy Ruhnke-Stewart
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Todd Stewart, beloved husband, father and colleague, passed away by taking his own life on Monday, July 23, 2018.
"A week ago Todd and I were making a pizza in the kitchen while the kittens that we were fostering were playing around our feet. I can't believe that one week ago we were so happy and now he is gone. " - Darcy
Everybody loved Todd. Todd, personally and professionally gave of himself to all of us and his only ask was to try to help us more.
Regretfully, Todd's health over the last few years has been a concern for all of us. His diabetes, back infection, and decline in health took a toll on Todd. Even while all of this was going on Todd made time for his colleagues to support their goals and provide advice. He frequently supported people that were not within his sphere of responsibilities because “somebody has to help them”.
Todd worked hard for his family. Many of us wondered how he could do it. He never stopped working when he was on our projects. He was constantly travelling somewhere far or remote and it was all because of a endless passion to make sure his family was taken care of.
"He was so proud of his accomplishments and had a great work ethic. When he was in the hospital having his back surgery a few years ago, he worked every day from his bed on his computer. I stood in his doorway to run interference with the nurses so they wouldn't interrupt him on conference calls and his coworkers had no idea he was in the hospital ." - Darcy
Todd was brilliant in his professional life. His uncommon gift to be able to tackle nearly any role in IT is the stuff of legends. Nothing was ever too big or too small or too difficult or different for him to tackle for us.
"Todd was a gentle, caring, generous and hardworking man who had a heart of gold. He was my best friend and my rock. He was a wonderful, caring and loving father. He was a friend to many and spoke often about his jobs and the friends he made along the way. " - Darcy
Many of us received emails from Todd the week before he passed, talking about his return to Calgary. We were all thrilled and had hope for him to get out of the vice of costly healthcare. Many of us have spoken up to say “If only I could have called him to have a great laugh and a chat, Maybe that would have made the difference.” Though Todd would have loved the call, but rest assured, he wouldn’t want any of us to suffer a moment of regret.
"I never realized that behind Todd's smile was so much pain. It is a haunting thought that will remain a question and guilt. The daily impact of Todd's loss is so real and the agony of dealing with the reality of him being gone. I have countless unanswered questions. Accepting that my life will be lived without Todd doesn't seem real. Why did I not see how sad Todd was underneath his smile? He will be missed by many and will never ever be forgotten." - Darcy
Todd rarely asked for help and it’s clear now that he needed it desperately. Todd didn’t have the resources we thought he had and our friend Todd’s widow needs our help now.
"The funds would assist me with the memorial, credit and overflowing medical bills that Todd has incurred during this time. There was no will and no insurance due to the suicide." - Darcy
Our hearts go out to Darcy and her family. We need to help support Darcy to cover costs to lay Todd to rest in Ottawa, to help Darcy get back on her feet and begin the road to recovery.
"A week ago Todd and I were making a pizza in the kitchen while the kittens that we were fostering were playing around our feet. I can't believe that one week ago we were so happy and now he is gone. " - Darcy
Everybody loved Todd. Todd, personally and professionally gave of himself to all of us and his only ask was to try to help us more.
Regretfully, Todd's health over the last few years has been a concern for all of us. His diabetes, back infection, and decline in health took a toll on Todd. Even while all of this was going on Todd made time for his colleagues to support their goals and provide advice. He frequently supported people that were not within his sphere of responsibilities because “somebody has to help them”.
Todd worked hard for his family. Many of us wondered how he could do it. He never stopped working when he was on our projects. He was constantly travelling somewhere far or remote and it was all because of a endless passion to make sure his family was taken care of.
"He was so proud of his accomplishments and had a great work ethic. When he was in the hospital having his back surgery a few years ago, he worked every day from his bed on his computer. I stood in his doorway to run interference with the nurses so they wouldn't interrupt him on conference calls and his coworkers had no idea he was in the hospital ." - Darcy
Todd was brilliant in his professional life. His uncommon gift to be able to tackle nearly any role in IT is the stuff of legends. Nothing was ever too big or too small or too difficult or different for him to tackle for us.
"Todd was a gentle, caring, generous and hardworking man who had a heart of gold. He was my best friend and my rock. He was a wonderful, caring and loving father. He was a friend to many and spoke often about his jobs and the friends he made along the way. " - Darcy
Many of us received emails from Todd the week before he passed, talking about his return to Calgary. We were all thrilled and had hope for him to get out of the vice of costly healthcare. Many of us have spoken up to say “If only I could have called him to have a great laugh and a chat, Maybe that would have made the difference.” Though Todd would have loved the call, but rest assured, he wouldn’t want any of us to suffer a moment of regret.
"I never realized that behind Todd's smile was so much pain. It is a haunting thought that will remain a question and guilt. The daily impact of Todd's loss is so real and the agony of dealing with the reality of him being gone. I have countless unanswered questions. Accepting that my life will be lived without Todd doesn't seem real. Why did I not see how sad Todd was underneath his smile? He will be missed by many and will never ever be forgotten." - Darcy
Todd rarely asked for help and it’s clear now that he needed it desperately. Todd didn’t have the resources we thought he had and our friend Todd’s widow needs our help now.
"The funds would assist me with the memorial, credit and overflowing medical bills that Todd has incurred during this time. There was no will and no insurance due to the suicide." - Darcy
Our hearts go out to Darcy and her family. We need to help support Darcy to cover costs to lay Todd to rest in Ottawa, to help Darcy get back on her feet and begin the road to recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Darcy Stewart
Organizer
Calgary, AB
darcy ruhnke
Beneficiary