Lawrence A. Ryel

Lawrence A. Ryel Lawrence A. Ryel passed away Sunday, October 19, 2008 at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Community after a short illness. He had been a recent resident of Clare Bridge Cottage of Battle Creek, Michigan moving there from Logan, Utah where he resided for 22 years. Son of R. Kenneth and Helen (Groves) Ryel, born February 22, 1930 in Farmington, Michigan, he grew up on the family farm on Huron River near Commerce, Michigan, graduating from Walled Lake Schools. He married Rose Mary Moss in 1952 in Northville, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University receiving his BS in Wildlife, MS in Fisheries and Wildlife and a Ph.D. in Statistical Zoology. He worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for over 30 years beginning as a park ranger at Proud Lake and ending his career as head of Surveys and Statistics in 1984. He was involved in the early phase of the Kirtland Warbler recovery effort and maintained a lifelong interest in their status. He was a life member of National Wildlife Society, National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, and USA Table Tennis Association. He had a profound passion for the outdoors and was always eager to share his knowledge and love of nature with others. He took an early interest in animals and birds, running a trap line on the Huron River in high school that was started by his grandfather. He loved bow hunting, table tennis, running, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, backpacking, canoeing, and rafting. However, his biggest hobby was bird watching and he traveled to all seven continents in pursuit of birds to add to his life list. He was predeceased by his parents and wife Rosie in 1985. He leaves behind son, Ron Ryel of Logan, Utah; daughter, Gale (Doug) Stautz of Battle Creek, Michigan; two grandsons, Sean (Megan) Kelly of Layton, Utah and Lance Kelly of Battle Creek, Michigan; and many dear friends. Donations in his honor can be made to the Alzheimer's Association. To leave a personal message and sign the online guest register, please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com