Michael J. Ryan

1948 - 2022

Died October 7, 2022.  Born July 21, 1948 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the son of Robert James and Mary Elizabeth (nee Otto) Ryan.  He is survived by his devoted wife Christine Marie McGee, sister-in-law Karen A. Bachmann, and brother-in-law Mark T. (Candy) McGee.  He is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

Mike graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1966.  He then attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison for both his undergraduate and law school studies.  He briefly practiced law in Wisconsin Rapids before joining the legal department at Midland National Bank in Milwaukee and saw its transition to First Bank Milwaukee and US Bank.  He retired in 2001 as Vice President and Associate General Counsel.

As a teenager, Mike learned to sail, was active in theatrical productions, self-taught in the guitar, banjo, and later the piano, and appreciated a variety of musical genres ranging from classical, folk, and bluegrass to Broadway musicals.  He carried these interests throughout his life – sailing on Lake Michigan for 25 years, making frequent trips to New York for the musical theater, and regular trips to London and Paris.  With his love of tweed caps and Burberry coats, he was something of an anglophile in choice of clothing and often said, “Dress British, think Yiddish.”  He will always be remembered for his intelligence and unique sense of humor.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum (2220 N. Terrace Ave.) in Milwaukee on Wednesday, October 26 beginning at 2:30 p.m. with a brief service at 3:30 p.m. and a reception following.  For those wishing to honor Mike, memorial gifts may be made to the MATC Foundation’s Skinner Organ Fund at 700 W. State St., Milwaukee, WI 53233 or the Wisconsin Humane Society at 4500 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208.