When you talk about the rough-and-tumble world of reality TV logging, one name usually hits the top of the list: Rygaard. For nine seasons on History Channel’s Ax Men, Gabe Rygaard was the face of high-stakes timber harvesting in the Pacific Northwest. He was loud, he was hardworking, and he was the engine behind Rygaard Logging. But for years, there’s been a persistent bit of confusion among fans—a mix-up about a Gabe Rygaard father death or whether it was Gabe himself who passed away.
Let’s set the record straight right now. Gabe Rygaard is the one who died.
His father, Craig Rygaard, the patriarch who started the company back in 1992, actually survived the tragic timeline of the show. If you’re searching for details on Craig’s passing, you’re likely remembering the heart-wrenching episodes where Craig was severely injured, or you’re conflating the two men because they shared such a massive presence on screen. Honestly, it’s an easy mistake to make given how closely their lives and careers were intertwined.
The Tragic Reality of Gabe Rygaard’s Passing
On September 16, 2016, the logging world lost its biggest personality. Gabe wasn't on a job site when it happened. He wasn't dodging a "widow-maker" branch or wrestling with a snapped cable. He was driving his Ford Bronco on Highway 101 near his hometown of Port Angeles, Washington.
It was a three-vehicle wreck.
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According to the Washington State Patrol, Gabe’s Bronco rear-ended a Chevrolet Tahoe that had slowed down in front of him. The impact sent his vehicle spinning into the path of an oncoming Dodge Ram van. He was only 45 years old. In a detail that still haunts many fans, investigators noted that Gabe was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. While six other people were involved in the collision, Gabe was the only fatality.
Why People Think Craig Rygaard Died
So, why does the "Gabe Rygaard father death" search crop up so often? There are a couple of reasons for the confusion. First, Craig Rygaard had a terrifying brush with death on the show. During Season 8, in an episode titled "Fall of a Legend," Craig suffered a horrific injury while trying to fix a stuck carriage line.
He was hospitalized, and for a while, it looked like the end of the road for the veteran logger.
Watching Craig—a man who seemed made of iron—laid up in a hospital bed was a shock to the system for viewers. He eventually retired at the end of Season 6, handing the reins over to Gabe. When Gabe died just a few years later, the narrative of the Rygaard family became one of "the father leaving the business" followed immediately by "the son leaving the world."
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- Craig Rygaard: Retired from the business; survived his son.
- Gabe Rygaard: Died in a 2016 car accident.
- The Confusion: Often stems from Craig's Season 8 injury and his subsequent disappearance from the limelight.
Life After the Cameras Stopped Rolling
The Rygaard family didn't just play loggers on TV. They were—and are—real people with a real business that had to keep moving even when the grief was suffocating. After Gabe’s death, the company faced an identity crisis. Gabe was the "heart and soul" of the crew, the guy who managed the bottom line and kept the guys in line.
Jason Rygaard, Gabe's brother, had to step up.
In the later "reboot" or Season 10 of Ax Men, we saw a glimpse of this struggle. Craig actually came out of retirement to help Jason keep Rygaard Logging afloat. Seeing Craig back on screen, looking older and clearly carrying the weight of losing his eldest son, probably contributed to the "father death" rumors. It’s a heavy thing to watch a father bury his son, especially when they spent their lives side-by-side in one of the world's most dangerous professions.
The Legacy of the Rygaard Name
Gabe wasn't just a TV star. He was a husband to Katy and a father to three kids: Tucker, Aden, and Trilby. He was even dipping his toes into local politics, running for Clallam County Commissioner shortly before he died. He lost that primary, but it showed he wanted to do more for his community than just cut trees.
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People loved Gabe because he was authentic. He wasn't a polished Hollywood actor. He was a guy who got muddy, swore when things went wrong, and clearly loved his family. When you watch old reruns of Ax Men today, the dynamic between Craig and Gabe is still the gold standard for father-son relationships in reality television—grumpy, competitive, but built on a foundation of absolute respect.
What to Take Away From the Rygaard Story
If you're a fan looking back at the show, it's important to remember the human cost of the "entertainment" we consume. These guys lived on the edge for our Sunday night viewing. While the "Gabe Rygaard father death" might be a factual mix-up, the tragedy is very real.
Moving forward, here is how you can honor the legacy of the Rygaard family:
- Watch the early seasons: See the chemistry between Craig and Gabe at their peak. It’s a masterclass in family business dynamics.
- Support local logging history: Organizations like the Pacific Loggers’ Exhibit help keep the history of this dangerous trade alive.
- Drive safe: It sounds cliché, but the details of Gabe's accident—especially the seat belt factor—are a sobering reminder that danger doesn't just exist in the woods.
The Rygaard name continues in Port Angeles. Jason is still at it, and the family has stayed largely private since the show's final curtain call. They’ve earned that peace. Whether you remember Gabe for his signature "Rygaard way" or his booming laugh, he remains an icon of the Pacific Northwest.