Robert J. “Bob” Ryan, 94, died peacefully at his residence in Elm Terrace Gardens on June 30, 2023, surrounded by his family.
He was born Robert Joseph Ryan on October 9, 1928, to Maurice and Madeline Ryan of Lansdale, Pa. He was the 7th child of 8 and the youngest of 6 boys. He grew up in a modest home at 54 Mt. Vernon Street in Lansdale, Pa. He graduated from Lansdale High School Class of 1947 and then joined the United States Air Force in January of 1949 and served his country during the Korean conflict for four years achieving the rank of Staff Sargent and receiving the Good Conduct Medal.
He married his high school sweetheart Marie Dolores Weber better known as “Dolly” in 1949 and they enjoyed 69 years of married life. That marriage was responsible for four children who in turn married and blessed them with 10 grandchildren. But their blessings went beyond that. Those grandchildren blessed them with 11 great grand kids! His entire Ryan Clan totals 37 incredible people. He was a lifelong member of St Stanislaus parish in Lansdale, Pa.
Upon being discharged from his military service he briefly worked for the Reading Railroad where his life took a tragic turn. He suffered an injury that resulted in the amputation of his leg. This is when the world would begin to see just how truly amazing this man was. Nothing was going to hold this man back and never once did he feel sorry for himself. After a lengthy rehabilitation he took a position with State of Pennsylvania Department of Employment Security. He was an employee of the State of Pennsylvania for 32 years working most of the years in the position of Supervisor of Employer Relations. That job fit him perfectly because it involved interacting with people, developing trusted relationships to meet the needs of others. Consequently, he seemed to know everyone in Lansdale, and they knew him. He has touched and impacted so many people throughout his life.
Following his retirement from the State of Pennsylvania he took a position as Human Relations Manager for Best Products, a retail franchise in Montgomeryville, Pa., and served in that role for 10 years. Again, putting his gift of helping others to good use.
It was then time for him and his wife to travel and then enjoyed over 20 years of traveling to the Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and Ft Myers, Florida to name a few. In between trips they could be found in North Carolina or Delaware visiting their grandchildren.
When asked about his proudest accomplishments he would say without hesitation that it was his family. In addition, he would proudly talk about a few other life highlights such as being a founding member of the Lansdale Catholic High School Fathers Club where he became the announcer at the football games. He was awarded a plague by the Lansdale Catholic Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of that 25 years of service and was officially declared the “Voice of the Crusader.” He was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus where he achieved their highest level of 4th degree knight. He could also be found at the VA on a weekly basis during the Vietnam War counseling and providing encouragement to soldiers returning with amputations.
He was an avid sports fan and loved his Notre Dame football and Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers. He so loved his Fighting Irish football that each year for about a 10 year span he would attend at least one game a year with all “his boys.”
He is survived by three of his children Patrick (Beth), Joan (Mike) and Thomas “Rusty” (Cheryl) and ten Grandchildren Amy (Steve), Sean (Shelly), Shannon (Tim), Scott, Emily (Nick), Brendon (Jamie), Bobby, Alyssa (Nick), Ryan (Mariah) and Tori (Tyler). In addition to amazing Grandchildren, he was blessed with eleven amazing Great Grandchildren as well, Ryley, Jackson, Emma, Kate, TJ, Madison, Carson, Nick, Kenzie, Nicholas, and Vivian. He is preceded in death by his wife and best friend of 69 years, Marie “Dolly” and his son Robert.
Robert’s family will receive friends on Monday, July 10, 2023, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave, Lansdale, PA 19446. His Mass of Christian Burial will follow. He will be interred in St. Stanislaus Cemetery immediately following Mass.
In lieu of flowers the family would like any donations in his memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family wishes to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and prayers.
Dear Ryan family, very sorry for your loss. I very much remember him as a very nice man and was happy to be his neighbor back in the day !
Dear Rusty and Cheryl,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad to your family. He was a good man. May he rest in eternal peace.