Michael R. Ryan's Obituary
Michael Ryan, age 84, of Spring Lake, Michigan, died peacefully on Monday, June 19, 2023. He was born Sept. 9, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan to Alfred and Margaret Ryan.
Michael grew up in Buffalo, New York, and moved with his family to Grosse Pointe, Michigan when he was 16. He graduated from Grosse Pointe University School and Georgetown University School of Foreign Service with a B.S. in Business.
In his own words:
“My Fifty Years in a Flash
“When I graduated … and started working in the General Motors accounting office, I had no idea the world would implode as it has. … I was one of the lucky ones to be selected to learn about the new strange creatures to invade GMs halls, Big Blue from IBM. Big Blue took up a large room and required several engineers 24 hours a day just to keep it breathing. Over the years, Big Blue, as well as the accounting staff, kept shrinking. It was an exciting period in our cultural and technological growth. I feel grateful to have been part of the wonderful revolution, to have been able to design some of the solutions, and to create opportunities for people to have more power over their lives.
“While the excitement of working … kept me busy, there were other wonderful things. My father-in-law introduced me to shooting skeet and dogs and I was on the Board of the Harbor Humane Society for several years. I am deeply committed to helping the animals. Ginny thinks I will bring home any needy creature. We have always had dogs, currently Dinger and Tara. We also have a big green parrot, Peanut. When I come into the room, Peanut calls out my name and says ‘Night, night’ when we turn the lights out in the evening.
“When I retired … I joined the Rotary Club of Spring Lake. I have been heavily involved in Rotary business locally and internationally ever since.”
Michael traveled to many Rotary international projects. Later, as president of the Spring Lake Rotary Club, he led a Rotary Funded project that brought water to a village in Honduras. He was co-treasurer of the Coopersville Rotary Club and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group of Rotary International.
He has been engaged in many community efforts including being scout master for Webelos in Grosse Pointe and on the Board of the Southeast Chapter of the Hope Ship. While in Spring Lake he has supported many Rotary projects and volunteered weekly in Cheap Stacks of Loutit Library.
Michael is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia; daughter Julia Mehgan Ryan; son Robert Michael Ryan (Rachel S. Moore); Grandchildren Liam (Nicole) Jernudd and Sten (Haydyn) Jernudd; and great granddaughter Freya Julia Jernudd.
A celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, stjude.org.
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