Alex Michael Arbutiski passed away unexpectedly from this world on May 1, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. He was born December 7, 2002 and was 23 years old. Alex was very independent and had strong character that allowed him to achieve much in his short time with us.
Alex had a keen interest and proficiency in Cybersecurity. Initially self-taught in his spare time while attending State College High School (2021) on sites like TryHackMe and PentesterLab, and participating in CTF competitions, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from Pennsylvania State University 2025. He enjoyed applying his knowledge at TraceLabs, RipRap Security and Amazon AWS in New Carlisle, Indiana.
While his vocational love was for information security, network engineering, and blue team operations, he enjoyed many outdoor activities. He was passionate about soccer having played the game since age 4 and loved supporting his favorite team – Tottenham Hotspurs of the English Premier League. We will always fondly remember many enjoyable Saturday mornings watching matches from Europe as a family.
An avid stargazer, Alex would view the heavens through his telescope and describe to us what he saw in the night sky. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter you could find Alex – telescope pointed to the heavens toward the celestial wonders.
Alex was physically fit, progressing into bicycling and extreme long-distance running. Some of his recent races include Sinnemahone Ultra 50K in 2024, Naked Bavarian 40M race in 2025, and Tussey Mountainback in 2025. At the end of these ultra races, he barely showed fatigue and always wore that winning smile we all loved to see.
Alex loved his friends, having known most of them his entire life. They shared many laughs and innumerable games of Pokemon Go, traversing the local neighborhoods and countless hours of gaming. He was kind and lovingly shared his time with family, friends, and neighbors.
He developed a self-motivated love for cooking. Alex was daring and not intimidated to try a new recipe or spice and appreciated hot peppers. And he never turned down hamburgers.
His skills, characteristics, talents, and interests were all woven into the tapestry that formed Alex into the son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend we love so dearly. We miss you and we will love you forever, “little bud.”
Alex was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Michael and Pearl Strelec. Alex is survived by his mother – Donna (Richard Rzomp), father – Thomas “Ty” (Sue), sister April, paternal grandparents Thomas and Mary Arbutiski, step-grandparent Richard Gustafson, aunts Michele Strelec and Anne Marie Steiger. He also leaves behind the family dog Collin, who adored Alex.
Donations in Alex’s memory can be made to Centre Soccer Association to nurture and further the game he so loved. Funeral services are being managed by Koch Funeral Home in State College. A burial mass will be held on Monday, May 11th at 9AM at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and is open to friends and family.