The world lost a good man today. Robert Eugene Ryan wasn’t wealthy or renowned or even well-travelled. But he was a pillar of his community, he was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and he was well loved. To mark his passing today, 22 October 2024, his family would like to tell you a bit about this good man.

Born July 14th in 1932 in Janesville, MN to Marie Regina (Schorn) and John Walter Ryan, Robert was known as Bob for most of his life. Growing up with his brothers Daniel, Joseph, John (sons of Mary Fanning), Kenneth, Francis, James, Patrick, Jerome-Paul, and sister, Donna (Stevens), and many close cousins, in a small country town like Janesville, Bob learned a lot about how things work at the feet of his father who was known as “Angle Iron Jack” and his grandfather, Michael J. Ryan Sr., who were both blacksmiths with a reputation to either fix it or make a new, better version, of whatever part they were repairing. Bob was also known throughout his life a Mr-Fix-It, even having quotes in his Janesville Public School high school yearbook in 1952 that comment on his love of cars and mechanical puzzles.

After being drafted into the Korean war in 1952, Bob returned home in 1954 and travelled to Ohio with a friend where he infamously met his future wife, Blue (Beatrice) Ryan in a café where they bonded over a plate less slice of pie. Marrying in 1956, Bob and Blue went on to have four children, Robert Jeffrey Ryan (Laura), James Patrick Ryan, John Noah Ryan (Maria) and Suszi Blue (Grudem) Bewaji who were later joined by the daughter of their heart, Tammi Jo Stoos and many foster children. They were fortunate to enjoy 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren across three continents.

Bob’s passion was cars, and he became a well-known mechanic wherever he lived, In Janesville, Elysian and Waseca, MN, in Apache Junction, AZ, and in Salyersville, KY. He was also a devout Christian and remained an active AA participant, starting multiple AA groups and Bible Studies across his life.

After losing his precious Blue in 2013, Bob lived in Waseca until 2016 when he joined his eldest son, (Robert) Jeff and family in Australia for four years. He returned to the USA in 2020 and resided at Traditions Memory Care Units in Montgomery, MN. Bob continued to be known for his nonsensical singing, binging on ice cream (with milk), daily prayers, and fun, bright personality. Always a prankster, his grandchildren loved seeing him ‘poke out’ his dentures and eat his nightly ice cream. While his love of card games, especially Rook, fell by the wayside with his advancing dementia, Bob remained full of life and engaging with others.

He passed away quietly, with family by his side, after a very quick decline in health. He was important to many people in his life and will be fondly remembered for generations to come.

No, Bob Ryan wasn’t a famous man. But he was a man who lived a full life and embraced his value in the words of Psalm 139: For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Services are pending with Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. 507-357-6116
On-line condolences may be left at www.schoenbauerfuneralhome.com.