About
Kenneth Ryan Obituary
Kenneth E. Ryan, 87, of Oxford, NY passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2023.
Kenneth Ryan was born on April 3, 1936 in Guilford, NY, to the late Julian and Irene Ryan. Ken graduated from Guilford Central School in 1954. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University in 1958 and his Master’s Degree from Cornell University in 1959. He started his career with International Harvester, where he began his lifelong love of IH red tractors. He subsequently worked for Minneapolis-Moline and J. I. Case, before returning home to work at Bendix, Link Aviation, and Cornell University. In 1969 he started at Raymond Corporation where he worked for 32 years, retiring in 2001. Ken married Nancy Race on August 29, 1959 in the Oxford Baptist Church, after meeting on a blind date with other people.
Ken is survived by his wife, Nancy Ryan; his children, Patrick T. Ryan of Oxford, Kathleen L. Ryan and Susan D'Annibale of Valatie, NY, Timothy R. Ryan and Richard Cook of Norwich, and Maureen E. Ryan of Burlington, WI; his brothers, Leon Ryan of Stony Brook, NY and Patrick J. and Sandra Ryan of Oxford, and his sister, Mary Mulbury of Hinesville, GA; his sisters-in-law, Jeanne E. Race of Ft. Myers, FL and Sally R. Flynn of Estero, FL; and his beloved grandchildren, Lia Schmit, Clara Schmit, Colton Ryan, Sophie Ryan and Shaelan Ryan.
Ken was well known for his love of collecting and restoring IH tractors. Cigar-in-mouth, he used his “fleet” of 30 tractors and complete line of farm machinery to grow crops, make maple syrup and cut firewood & logs until just recently. In retirement he operated Canal Street Hardware and served as an advocate for agriculture and agricultural education by supporting 4-H and the Chenango County Fair and serving on the Chenango County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board. He served over 50 years on the Oxford Town Planning Board.
Memorial donations can be made in Ken's name to the Guilford United Methodist
Church.
Private services for the family will be held in Riverview Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, NY.
Family and friends may share memories and condolences by visiting behefuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
21 Main St., Oxford, NY 13830
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6 Entries
Bob Cooke
May 3, 2023
Nancy,
Recall that I worked with Ken worked with Ken in Agricultural Engineering at Cornell. Our interests overlapped in the mechanical harvesting of apples project. Ken and you also invited us to a cookout and a trip to Greek Peak (without snow). We send our best wishes for you and your family
Norman Scott
May 2, 2023
So very sorry to learn of Ken's passing. Many memories flash through my mind of the times Ken and I shared over the years. They begin in 1958 when I, like the other Norm (Lemmon), came to Cornell for Graduate Study at Cornell University in the Department of Agricultural Engineering. I from Washington State and Norm Lemmon from North Dakota State. That began a long relationship that spanned to the present. It included: 1) long hours of study on the 4th floor of Riley-Robb Hall for a year until Ken completed his M.S. and accepted employment with International Harvester, 2) his hospitality and invitations to share a time with him and his family at a real NY farm in Oxford, 3) his playing 'matchmaker' for Norm and me in meeting and dating two lovely Oxford girls, 4) employment in the Ag. Engr. Department where Ken was a key researcher /developer with a team in advancing mechanical harvesting of tree fruits in the mid-to late 1960's, 5) frequent opportunities to see Ken and Nancy annually when they dropped off their children for study at Cornell, and 6) far too infrequent trips to Oxford to see 'farmer Ryan' and his assortment of renovated red tractors. I regret that we did not get to Oxford last summer and noted in our last Christmas card that we must get out to see him and Nancy when we returned to Ithaca this summer of 2023.
To summarize, Ken is remembered for an enthusiastic and welcoming friendship over these many years. He was an exceptional human being who will be missed for his many contributions and friendships.
Andy Hessler
May 2, 2023
I loved the years I got to work with Ken at Raymond. He was the youngest at heart of all of us. He would have been happy to have known that after he retired...I went to work for Case New Holland...working on Case IH combine harvesters. Wish I had thought to share that with him.
Blessing to all. He was really a great guy.
Cathleen Bagnall
May 1, 2023
My sincerest sympathy. Ken was a friend who I will always remember. He did me a great favor more than once. Cathie Bagnall
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Peter (Kimberlea) VanderWoude
May 1, 2023
Nancy, Patrick, Kathy, Tim, Maureen, Jeanne and Sally,
So very sorry to hear about Ken's passing. Will truly miss seeing and talking with Ken at our family reunion picnics and gatherings. Always enjoyed our conversations about agriculture, farm machinery and Cornell. May God's peace be with you all.
Darlea (Dede) Wiley
May 1, 2023
Timothy and Family, Sending my deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad. He was a great guy, so glad I had the pleasure to know him.
Rest In Peace Ken.
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