Michael “Ty” Kettenhofen

United States Army Master Sergeant Michael “Ty” Kettenhofen passed away on March 13, 2023 during a training accident with his team, The Golden Knights.

Kettenhofen was born and raised in Orange, California. His childhood was fun, loving, and full of adventure. He was the youngest of five children, with three older brothers and one older sister. Having been very adventurous, Kettenhofen loved scuba diving, shooting guns, surfing, hunting, fishing, and dirt biking. In 2008, he and his wife, Cari, met through mutual friends. The pair’s relationship grew and they were later married.

Continuing his adventurous personality into adulthood, Kettenhofen decided to enlist in the US Army in 2006. He loved the camaraderie he experienced while serving as well as the people whom he served with. His main goal was to see different parts of the world, experience different cultures, and help where he could. Throughout his honorable career, Kettenhofen was awarded with two Army Commendation Medals, one with V Device, an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Good Conduct Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal, a Master parachutist Badge, a Purple Heart, an Infantry Combat Badge, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and an Iraq Campaign Medal. In March of 2023, Kettenhofen sadly lost his life due to the injuries he sustained while on a parachute training jump in Homestead, Florida.

Cari currently lives in North Carolina with her daughter, Quinn, who was Kettenhoffen’s pride and joy. Cari loves spending time outdoors, going on trail walks, going to the beach, as well as cooking and grilling. In the future, she is excited to continue to watch her daughter grow and take her out on different adventures. After the passing of her husband, Cari was met with the worry of paying her mortgage. With the support from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, she no longer has to carry the financial burden and can remain in the home she and Kettenhofen built together to raise their daughter in. Finally, Cari would like others to know that her husband was a very fun and adventurous person. If he put his mind to something, rest assured that it was going to happen. He loved his daughter more than life itself and she will grow with the knowledge of her father and his fierce love for her.

United States Army Master Sergeant Michael “Ty” Kettenhofen is survived by his loving wife, Cari, and his beautiful daughter, Quinn.