Police Identify 16-Year Old Boy Missing at Gleneden Beach

16-year old Ross Barfuss of Aloha was last seen going into the surf to rescue an 11-year old boy Saturday, at approximately 1:15 PM.

(GLENEDEN BEACH, Ore.) - Police in the Oregon coast say the 16-year old from Aloha who attempted to help rescue an 11-year old boy in the heavy surf Saturday afternoon at Gleneden Beach remains missing as of Sunday afternoon.

His next of kin have authorized the release of his personal information and some details of the recovery effort helped today assisted by members of the family's church.

16-year old Ross Barfuss of Aloha was last seen going into the surf to rescue an 11-year old boy Saturday, at approximately 1:15 PM.

While emergency responders from state, county, local and U.S. Coast Guard were at the scene searching for the 11-year old boy, family members reported Ross Barfuss as unaccounted for and missing.

Search efforts continued into late Saturday afternoon for him after the 11-year old boy, River Jenison of Westfir, was recovered and taken to a local hospital where he later died.

The father of Ross Barfuss told Oregon State Police that he was a junior at Aloha High School. The family moved to Aloha in June 2007, after living 8 years in the Pendleton area.

The Barfuss family told police they had traveled to the Gleneden Beach area on a family outing when Ross spotted the boy in the heavy surf and went to help him. The families did not know one another.

Approximately 40 - 50 members of the Hazeldale ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came today to help family continue looking for Ross.

A local Subway sandwich business also donated food to those helping in today's search and recovery effort.

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jordan March 13, 2008 9:27 pm (Pacific time)

i only knew ross for a little however he was indeed very kind and generous he will be greatly missed.

Jeannie March 13, 2008 6:40 pm (Pacific time)

it really hurt me to find out that he was missing and presumed drowned. I only knew him for a couple of months, but he was the greatest friend ever. There's very rare people like him. He always made people smile, even when i was in a bad mood and he wouldn't know, just seeing him would bring a smile to my face.

Dusti March 11, 2008 3:42 pm (Pacific time)

I was so fortunate enough to be blessed to teach Ross in church when he was a deacon in Pendleton. He radiated joy for life and all around him. My husband would have weekly video game days with the boys in the Church ad Ross never missed a day. Tears of sadness are being shed in our home for this earthly loss but tears of joy are there as well because he has reach his ultimate glory. I pray for peace for his family and all who loved him.

AHS March 11, 2008 10:16 am (Pacific time)

"A loss on earth but a great gain in heaven" -AHS Staff

Reegan G. Bork March 10, 2008 10:17 pm (Pacific time)

Ross was an awesome person that would go out of his way to help other people. His family was one of the very few that love to do things together and I pray for his family. I can't believe it has almost been a year since we went to Disneyland with the PHS choir. He will always be remembered for his kind heart and outgoing personality.

Alina March 10, 2008 8:52 pm (Pacific time)

I agree with Grace, Ross was an amazing kid, I got to know him at a church activitie. He makes everyone smile. I will never forget about him. He was such a young man, always trying to cheer people up when they were sad. Our prayers and thoughts is on the Barfuss Family.

Grace March 9, 2008 7:07 pm (Pacific time)

Ross was an amazing young man that had a way of reaching out to the youth of our Church as well as those he attended school with. I am not surprised that he chose to try and save the younger boy who was struggling. Ross will be missed by all.

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