Michael Detjen was the family friend who would visit the Roloffs of the TLC show “Little People Big World”.

Detjen was moved to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center after having chest pains and passing out Wednesday evening at a Hillsboro Soccer Club meeting, The Oregonian reported Thursday.  He died during surgery after suffering a torn aorta.

“It is with the deepest sadness and devastation that we must inform our friends and fans of the passing of our extended family member, Mike Detjen,” Matt Roloff wrote Thursday on the family’s personal website.  “For the past eight years Mike has been a business partner, brother, coach, friend, and confidant.  He was truly like an uncle to our kids.”

Roloff said Detjen being rushed to the hospital from the meeting was a “complete and sudden surprise.”

Detjen was a fixture on the Roloffs’ Helvetia-area farm in Washington County and is most likely remembered by viewers for being injured during an October 2006 incident involving a pumpkin catapult he constructed.  Also harmed in the accident was the Roloff’s youngest child Jacob.  Detjen helped Jacob rebuild the catapult last fall in an effort to teach him to overcome the fear caused by the accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and his family and friends.