Ryan was born in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Cliff and Gloria Croom. Destined to be an engineer, Ryan would take apart his toys, rather than play with them. He spent his childhood playing on the lake with his sister, Ali, swimming in the ocean with his cousins in Destin and handedly beating his friends and family at Mario Party.
Ryan attended Mountain Home High School and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007. Ryan was a dedicated member of the Bomb Squad Robotics Team, which fueled his love for science and technology. Following this passion, Ryan attended college at Missouri University of Science and Technology, where he majored in computer engineering and minored in computer science. He would regularly make trips home to be a judge in Lego League competitions and serve as a mentor to the Bomb Squad team.
Graduating Cum Laude in 2011, he got his dream job at National Instruments in Austin, Texas, where he could wear khakis and a black T-shirt to work every day. He stayed there for nine years, during which he was promoted to senior engineer and awarded a design patent by the US Patent Office.
Ryan loved to travel, and some of his fondest memories included going skiing with his family and going on cruises with his cousins. Shortly before his diagnosis, the family took a heritage trip to Ireland, seeing their namesake city of Croom. Then after finishing his first series of chemo, the family visited New York City for the Ryan Croom Victory Tour.
Ryan also loved games-any type of game, including puzzle boxes, escape rooms, board games and video games.
Ryan will be remembered by his family and friends for his loving spirit. He passed away peacefully at his home after a year and a half battle with Colorectal Signet Cell Cancer.