The HGTV community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of their cherished leader. Loren Ruch, the network’s Head of Content, passed away at the age of 55 on June 12, 2025, as confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Deadline.
Ruch, a driving force behind HGTV’s success, had spent over 20 years shaping the network’s programming—mostly from behind the scenes, though he occasionally appeared on-air. After the departure of longtime HGTV president Jane Latman during a wave of layoffs in 2022, Ruch stepped into the leadership role and began overseeing content across the network.
In 2024, Ruch was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. According to EntertainmentNow, he endured an 85-day hospital stay for a stem cell transplant, which was deemed successful at the time. Just weeks before his passing, on June 5, he and his husband David Salas celebrated their 21st anniversary. In a heartfelt post, Salas looked ahead to “many more amazing years ahead.” But on June 13, former Good Day L.A. anchor Dorothy Lucey sadly shared, “This lovely human beat cancer. Beat leukemia. But not pneumonia.”
HGTV Stars Pay Homage in Emotional Tributes to Loren Ruch: ‘Struggling With the Loss’
The outpouring of tributes from HGTV stars speaks volumes about how deeply loved Loren Ruch was—and just how pivotal he had been in shaping their careers.
Christina Haack, one of the network’s longtime talents, shared a touching tribute in her Instagram Stories. Alongside a photo with Ruch, she wrote, “Loren — You were one of the rare ones and the real ones. Everyone adored you. You are loved by so many and will be missed dearly.”
Jonathan Scott also honored Ruch with photos in his Instagram Stories, writing, “Struggling with the loss of my friend tonight. Loren, you’re one of the great ones. 💔”
Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt of 100 Day Dream Home were especially close to Loren and his husband, David Salas. Mika posted a warm photo of the two couples outside a Broadway showing of Funny Girl, paired with a heartfelt message.
“There are only a handful of people in our lives who truly help shape our future and touch our souls,” she wrote. “@lorennruch was one of a kind and believed in us from day one. We owe so much of our success on @hgtv to him.”
She continued, “He wasn’t just a leader — he was a mentor, a creative genius, and a true friend. Until we meet again, we will honor and remember you. You taught us to treat everyone with kindness and to go after our dreams.”
Brian also posted a sweet memory with Mika and Loren, simply writing, “He believed in us and is beloved by us. 🙌.”
HGTV Stars Shared How Loren Ruch Gave Them Opportunities to Shine
ust like Mika Kleinschmidt, several HGTV stars have opened up about how Loren Ruch was more than just a network executive—he was the reason many of them had the chance to shine. His support, encouragement, and belief in their talent shaped countless careers, including that of Love It or List It co-host Page Turner.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on June 13, Turner reflected on their final conversation. “You told me how proud you were of me and other inspiring words that I’ll carry with me forever,” she wrote. “You were more than a leader — you were a friend, a champion, and an incredible blessing. 🙏🏽 Thank you for such incredible opportunities that have allowed me to continue to catch my dreams.”
Veronica Valencia, a long-time behind-the-scenes talent who transitioned to on-screen roles, also shared a deeply personal tribute. Known for her work as lead design producer on shows like Home Town Takeover and for starring in her own series Revealed, Valencia credited Loren with finally seeing her after years of being in the background.
“After 13 years in this industry as the ‘ghost designer’ behind so many shows, Loren was the one who saw me,” she wrote on June 12. “For years, my work lived behind the scenes—designing, pitching, creating. I pitched directly to the network, sharing visual concepts of what the audience would eventually see.”
Then came the turning point. “During one of those pitches, Loren noticed me, and I heard later, ‘Who is that girl? She’s someone special. She’s the real deal.’ I still cry when I think about that moment. After all those years, he saw me. And in doing so, he changed my life.”
Although Revealed only aired for one season, it broke ground in important ways. Veronica explained that Loren didn’t just greenlight a show—he championed a vision. “He put me—a woman with my culture and identity—at the center of a series that celebrated family, diversity, different religions, and different ways of living. He saw who I truly was and believed the world was ready to see it too.”
For so many in the HGTV family, Loren Ruch wasn’t just the person behind the scenes—he was the one who gave them the stage.
Erin Napier’s Tribute
Erin Napier, star of Home Town, shared a touching tribute to Loren Ruch, reflecting on the quiet bond they built over the years—despite not working closely on projects together.
In her heartfelt message, Erin acknowledged that while their professional paths didn’t often cross, Loren was still someone she felt deeply connected to within the HGTV family. “We didn’t work together much,” she wrote, “but Loren was one of the people who made HGTV feel like a true community—not just a network.”
She went on to describe Loren as warm, thoughtful, and effortlessly kind. “He had this way of making you feel seen, even in a hallway conversation or a short email. He was generous with encouragement, and he radiated sincerity in a world that doesn’t always make space for that.”
Erin’s tribute carried the weight of genuine loss. “HGTV didn’t just lose an executive—we lost a member of our family. Loren was one of the good ones, the irreplaceable ones. His absence will be felt in every corner of this community.”
With grace and emotion, Erin closed her message by expressing her condolences to Loren’s husband, David Salas, and to everyone whose lives he touched. “We’ll carry your light with us, Loren,” she wrote. “Thank you for being part of this home we’ve all built together.”
Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas shares how they remembers Loren Ruch
Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas of Bargain Block shared a brief but heartfelt tribute following Loren Ruch’s passing.
“Loren had a warmth that made you feel welcome the moment you met him,” they wrote. “He was kind, genuine, and brought so much heart to the HGTV family. His presence will be deeply missed, and his legacy will always be remembered.”
Their words reflected the quiet impact Loren had—even on those he didn’t work with directly—leaving behind a lasting impression through the way he treated people.
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