Richard Nelson Ryan

RICHARD NELSON RYAN Richard (Dick) Nelson Ryan, husband of Carol (Bechtel) Ryan, was born August 17, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Daniel L. Ryan and Anne (Ochrany) Ryan. He was reared in Wynnewood, near Philadelphia, earned a degree in marketing from Villanova University and trained with the Army National Guard in Ft. Knox, Kentucky before serving on a Nike-Ajax Missile site near Ft. Bliss, Texas. He worked at inside sales for the Autocar Trucks division of White Motor Company in Exton, PA, and for the 3M Company before becoming a sales representative for four manufacturers of cold finished steel located in Buffalo, New York, Hammond and Griffith, Indiana, and Dallas, Texas. After his marriage Dick lived with his wife, Carol, at the Jersey shore, living for 11 years in Lavallette and 20 years in Brielle until relocating to Sarasota, Florida, in July, 2001. Together, they renovated, rented, and sold beach properties in Ocean County, NJ. With his wife he was a volunteer at the Sunnyside Health Center for six years and in the Sunnyside Village Store for three years. Dick enjoyed bowling, searching for collectibles, entertaining family and friends at the beach, boardwalk, and backyard barbeques, as well as, traveling across the continent, through the Caribbean, Brazil, and Europe. Together, he and his wife visited Antigua 16 consecutive winters. Dick derived pleasure from making other people happy-their wish was his command. He never took shortcuts, had religious devotion, and was always a gentleman. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Lawrence Ryan. He is survived by his wife, Carol. Dick was a member of the Church of the Palms, Sarasota, Florida. Condolences may be extended during visitation and fellowship hours from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday October 5, 2012 at Vincent Mennoite Church, 39 Seven Stars Road, Spring City, PA. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 10 a.m., the Reverend Timothy D. Moyer officiating. Preview music begins at 9:30 a.m. The Shalkop Grace & Strunk Funeral Home is handling arrangements on line tributes may be made at www.sgsfuneralhome.com