Creative, charismatic, thoughtful, determined
Logan Rachwal was creative, charismatic, and deeply compassionate. From an early age, he was a sensitive and thoughtful child who felt things deeply and cared deeply about others. People often felt comfortable around Logan; he had a quiet way of making others feel accepted and at ease. He experienced painful losses in his close community, and those experiences shaped him. Rather than hardening him, they deepened his empathy and ability to notice when others were hurting.
School was not always easy. Logan’s sensitivity sometimes made him a target, and he knew what it felt like to be picked on or misunderstood. But those experiences became part of what made him who he was. He grew into someone who instinctively looked out for others—the person who noticed the kid on the edge of the group and made room for them. He was especially kind to those who were overlooked because he understood what that felt like.
Logan had a quiet strength. The “special spot” in his left eye, something he was once self-conscious about, became a feature he spoke about with pride. Over time, he learned to embrace the things that made him different, and that courage shaped many parts of his life.
Athletics became an important outlet. Logan worked hard, pushing himself in baseball, wrestling, and football. He made select baseball at a young age, something he was proud of, not just because of the accomplishment, but because of the work it took to get there.
Imaginative as well as athletic, Logan loved reading, magic tricks, arts and crafts, and cooking. He graduated from Pewaukee High School and attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 2020. During his freshman year, he adopted a cat named Hulk, whom he adored.
Logan started working at 14 and was always willing to work hard, taking on different jobs over the years—from McDonald’s to car washes, food running, and cashiering. While attending UWM, he worked at the campus café just before his passing.
The Rachwal family was close-knit. Summers were often spent camping, and spring brought trips to Arizona for Easter. Logan and his younger brother Caden, only fourteen months apart, were very close and often mistaken for twins. Christmas Day was intentional and fun in their home, opening presents one at a time and making Swedish pancakes for breakfast. Logan especially loved helping his mom bake during the holidays.
During his later years, his family stayed connected through visits and their group chat, sharing photos and small moments from daily life. Logan loved sending pictures of his cat Hulk, and on harder days he would sometimes ask his family to pray for him—simple exchanges that reflected both his love for his family and the faith that was an important part of their lives.
Logan’s legacy of empathy and kindness continues to shape his community. After his passing, a friend created a documentary about his life as part of a college project, deeply moved by who he was and the impact of his story. The Love, Logan Foundation was created by his family to spread awareness about counterfeit pills and fentanyl, highlight the lives affected by substance use, and to assist families and siblings dealing with loss. Through advocacy, education, and community outreach, Logan’s story continues to help others.
Logan looked forward to graduating from college, building a life of his own, and always having cats in his home.
Logan’s mother, Erin Rachwal, provided the information for this narrative.
November 30, 2001–February 14, 2021-Age 19
Portrait Artist: Elizabeth Jones
Narrative Writer: Livia Cohen
