Ralph Kiser passes away at age 56 due to a heart attack (Image via Twitter/@Survivor_bdays,@donathanhurley)Former Survivor: Redemption Island contestant Ralph Kiser died at 56. The Season 22 competitor passed away on Wednesday morning following a heart attack, as reported by People.A farmer from Lebanon, Virginia, he competed in Survivor’s 22nd season as a member of the Zapatera tribe. He attempted to participate in the show multiple times before landing a spot in Season 22, 2010. He finished eighth in the competition after being eliminated on day 33. At 44 years, he was the oldest to win a duel in the competition series.Ralph's nephew, George Kiser, told The Sun that the reality star died around 3:15 a.m., leaving friends and family members shocked. He said:"He was a hard working man, and a damn good hunter."Tributes pour in for Ralph Kiser as he passes away at 56People took to social media to mourn the death of former Survivor contestant Ralph Kiser.Rob Barlow@Forever1267RobRalph Kiser, from #Survivor #RedemptionIsland passed away of a heart attack this morning. He was the ginger bearded guy. #Survivorprp Rest in PeaceRalph Kiser, from #Survivor #RedemptionIsland passed away of a heart attack this morning. He was the ginger bearded guy. #Survivorprp Rest in PeaceRussell Hantz@russellhantzMy thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Ralph Kiser from Redemption island. RIP Ralph!1174My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Ralph Kiser from Redemption island. RIP Ralph!Kyle Dorr@thatdorrkLooks like the Survivor community lost another player. Ralph Kiser passed away from a heart attack today. Pretty sad… dude was probably one of the few people I actually liked from Redemption Island. #Survivor2Looks like the Survivor community lost another player. Ralph Kiser passed away from a heart attack today. Pretty sad… dude was probably one of the few people I actually liked from Redemption Island. #SurvivorLaurin Garcia@NYCLaurinGarciaLooking forward to another episode of @survivorcbs. But my heart does go out to the family and friends of the now late Ralph Kiser. My sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him well. #Survivor2Looking forward to another episode of @survivorcbs. But my heart does go out to the family and friends of the now late Ralph Kiser. My sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him well. #SurvivorJake Patton@Jpatton88So these are my autograph pictures of Ralph Kiser. He was one of my favorite Castaways, he deserved to play again. RIP Ralph1So these are my autograph pictures of Ralph Kiser. He was one of my favorite Castaways, he deserved to play again. RIP Ralph https://t.co/3WdZkrX8KxAnne Curtis AKA GamerGirl@theintroologistToday we lose the 10th Survivor Contestant! Ralph Kiser! RIP! I will always remember you for your funny vote mispellings!1Today we lose the 10th Survivor Contestant! Ralph Kiser! RIP! I will always remember you for your funny vote mispellings! https://t.co/nH1xGBqFZhJacob K@JacobKTweetsRIP Ralph Kiser #Survivor you’ll be missed 41RIP Ralph Kiser #Survivor you’ll be missed 💔 https://t.co/aiaLqNz5qNSurvivor Birthdays@Survivor_bdaysWhile this is usually an account to wish Happy birthday to #Survivor contestants, I wanted to give my deepest sympathies to Ralph Kiser's family and friends on his passing. Ralph was a fun and entertaining castaway on Survivor Redemption Island and he will be missed! RIP Ralph 38633While this is usually an account to wish Happy birthday to #Survivor contestants, I wanted to give my deepest sympathies to Ralph Kiser's family and friends on his passing. Ralph was a fun and entertaining castaway on Survivor Redemption Island and he will be missed! RIP Ralph ♥️ https://t.co/D5nbyqLgRbDonathan (CBS Survivor)@donathanhurleyRIP Ralph Kiser! (from Redemption Island) @survivorcbs #Survivor92148RIP Ralph Kiser! 💔 (from Redemption Island) @survivorcbs #Survivor https://t.co/iCOaIlJEyxMike Bloom@AMikeBloomTypeIt's tough to dim the lights on #Survivor day, but it seems that the alumni family has lost another member today: Ralph Kiser from Redemption Island. R.I.P. to one of the few lights in a very dark season, who provided 33 days of accidental idol finding, rooster crowing & more48335It's tough to dim the lights on #Survivor day, but it seems that the alumni family has lost another member today: Ralph Kiser from Redemption Island. R.I.P. to one of the few lights in a very dark season, who provided 33 days of accidental idol finding, rooster crowing & more❤️ https://t.co/ZIJB2wKwnqThe ChappMan 🦇@Chappells_ShowRalph Kiser had one of my favorite #Survivor quotes. “Do you really like me, Phillip?” always makes me laugh because you can tell the question was sincere and Ralph was looking for ANY REASON not to vote for Boston Rob. RIP Ralph Kiser.1032Ralph Kiser had one of my favorite #Survivor quotes. “Do you really like me, Phillip?” always makes me laugh because you can tell the question was sincere and Ralph was looking for ANY REASON not to vote for Boston Rob. 😂RIP Ralph Kiser.Cam Bahan@cambahanVery sad to hear of the passing of Ralph Kiser from Survivor: Redemption Island. I know a lot of people dislike the season, but I enjoyed it and Ralph was an entertaining player. Best wishes to his family and friends. Thanks for being part of #Survivor2Very sad to hear of the passing of Ralph Kiser from Survivor: Redemption Island. I know a lot of people dislike the season, but I enjoyed it and Ralph was an entertaining player. Best wishes to his family and friends. Thanks for being part of #SurvivorRalph Kisler wanted to be on Survivor for yearsSurvivor superfan Michael Allbright shared the devastating news via a Facebook post. He wrote:“I have some unfortunate news for the Survivor community. Ralph Kiser passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack this morning. His brother Gilbert messaged me this morning to let the Survivor community know.”The Virginia native was best known for his cheerful personality, and his CBS bio declared him to be "determined, strong-willed and stubborn." He was thrilled after he finally got accepted to be on the reality show after applying several times. At the time, as part of his introduction, he had said:“I’ve wanted to be on the show for years and knew one day I’d get my chance. I want to be a hometown hero for the folks back home!”In his introductory questionnaire on Survivor, he said he'd do really well in these kinds of shows. Giving his reason, he said:“I’m an outdoors mountain man. I know plants, trees and what most of their uses are. I can also build anything; start a fire anywhere and make people believe anything I say I will be the king at camp because I can build shelter, cook, find food and be the leader."Speaking to PEOPLE about his exit back in 2011, he said:"It was the time of my life. It was a dream come true for a man like me to be in Nicaragua and playing a game to be on television. What does that happen to anyone? Never, that's when. I'd do it again over and over."The game initially went well for Ralph, who found his comfort in a dominant six-person alliance that controlled his tribe during the early part of the game. But when the castaways reached their infamous merge, his tribe was outnumbered and were easily picked off by the opposing tribe led by Survivor legend Boston Rob Mariano.