The world lost one of its very finest on July 4, 2020. Scott Robert Runman (39) died unexpectedly of heart complications in Skagway, Alaska. He now joins his dad, Dennis Runman, in heaven where they are likely tipping a glass and wetting a fishing line together right now.
Scott was born and raised on the football/baseball fields and hockey rinks of South Minneapolis. His happy place was “the cabin” on Roosevelt Lake where he grew up fishing, hunting, boating, swimming and rope-swinging. Scott graduated from the Academy of the Holy Angels in 1999. Pursuing his love of cooking and serving others, Scott obtained a culinary degree from St. Paul College in 2004. He also spent time traveling to Central America and around the globe, making fast friends wherever he went. Scott spent 10 wonderful summer seasons in Skagway where he met the love of his life and fiancé, Tyler Marie Loustalot. Scott was most recently the executive chef at the Westmark Inn Hotel and Bonanza Bar & Grill. Scott was an absolute joy to this world and had a positive impact on everyone he met.
Scott is preceded in death by his father, Dennis Clifford, stillborn sister Karolyn Jean and nephew Noah Robert.
Scott is survived by his fiancé, Tyler Marie Loustalot; mother, Kathryn Runman-Zimney (Leonard); brother, Brian Richard (Katie); nephews and nieces, Jacob Dennis, Michaela Grace, Lucas William, Maxwell Joseph and Emily Katherine; and many Zimney step-siblings, step-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe account has been established (Scott Runman Memorial Fund) at https://www.gofundme.com/f/scott-runman-memorial-fund.
Part of this fund will go to Earth Lodge in Guatemala (https://www.earthlodgeguatemala.com), one of the places where Scott was the happiest. Proceeds will help provide financial help to get them through until tourism and travel return to the area.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no formal services in the short term. Locally, there will be a Celebration of Life at Seven Pastures on Aug. 1. Details of this event will be communicated via social media, including the Facebook group, “Scott Runman, Long Story Longer.”
