SOUTH SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The family of Ryan Richards identified him as the person who died in a South Saint Paul home explosion last week.
Nhu Richards, Ryan's sister, says she remembers him as "mischievous" growing up, using his humor to get through life.
"I would say he was loyal, loving," she said.
The 42-year-old took care of their mother who also lived at the home. She is paraplegic and was at a friend's the morning of the fire.
They day of the explosion, neighbors noted his kindness.
"He had a garden," said Mike Schuno, a neighbor who lived across the street from the home. "He would walk up and down the street giving away vegetables."
Nhu said Ryan would hang out with her and her twin sister, despite a big age gap.
"We were probably up to something we shouldn't have been doing," she said, looking at a photo of the three of them surrounding a suitcase full of stickers.
But despite the trouble he would get them into, he was protective of them. For example, Nhu said when her family lived in South Dakota, she and her siblings would be bullied — but Ryan wouldn't take the abuse lying down.
"We faced our own discrimination," Richards said. "He would stand up for us. And I think that says so much."
She added, "My memories give him a second chance. I think they're gifts."
The family has started a GoFundMe and has raised more than $12,000.
"It was started on behalf of my mom," said Richards, "to help her start moving forward, and also pay for Ryan's funeral expenses. I also want to say thank you to those who contributed. It takes my words away and it takes my mom's words away, too."
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist: