August 31, 1944 - May 15, 2023 Michael Dennis Ryan was born in Waukegan, Illinois to Jane (Wing) Ryan and John Joseph Ryan. Mike identified as a "Wenatchee boy" at every age; he was an honors student, all-state varsity football player, and state heavyweight wrestling runner-up at Wenatchee High School. He loved every minute at the University of Washington as two-time co-captain of the UW Huskies football team and Academic All American, member of Phi Delta Theta, Rhodes Scholar finalist, and Rotary Scholar. He graduated from Harvard Law and moved to Los Angeles, where he was an attorney and partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Allen Matkins. Mike worked to share his love of Shakespeare, call out inequity, and advance education in his roles as board member for Shakespeare Center LA, Western Center on Law and Poverty, and Marlborough School.

Mike was a rare gem of a human and a warm, down-to-earth, fiercely loving husband, papa, brother and friend. His wit, irreverence, and genuine interest in others endeared him to anyone who met him. He always cheered for the underdog (unless they were playing his beloved Huskies). Mike's legacy is the family that survives him: his wife and love of his life Linda Jean, his three children: Susan Elizabeth (spouse Damian), Mary Colleen (spouse Monica), and John Joseph (spouse Nandar), his four perfect grandchildren: Nathan, Eliza, Zara, and Finn, and his big brother Joe Ryan. Mike razzed his family and friends right up until his peaceful passing at home on May 15, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded in his final days by the people he loved so powerfully. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 1pm at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westwood. Contributions in Mike's memory can be made to St. Joseph Center, Western Center on Law and Poverty, Shakespeare Center LA, and Mutual Aid Myanmar.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on May 18, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Ryan

14 Entries

Judy Lambert Grodin

January 19, 2025

Dear Linda, I was your neighbor on Dunleer. I moved after my husband Jim Grodin passed away. I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mike's passing. He was always such a happy, pleasant guy. You must be lost without him! I am so sorry. Sincerely, Judy Lambert (Grodin) [email protected]

Mac Bledsoe

December 18, 2024

Beast was a very loyal friend and teammate! I could always count on him no matter what I needed! A wonderful and honest friend!

Mac Bledsoe

May 15, 2024

Beast was a best friend! He knew the power of his friendship to others. He was like a big brother to me on the Husky Football Team!

Louise Clarke Stone

May 12, 2024

Working with Mike at GDC and Allen Marion's was an honor and a pleasure. I miss him every day. Mike was a joy and honor to know and work beside and will never be forgotten.

Deborah Clarke

December 16, 2023

I just learned (very belatedly) of Mike´s illness and passing. I am in shock. This is what happens when one stops keeping in touch even with those they love dearly. Mike recruited me to Gibson Dunn in 1989. I worked for him and with him. I was one of his many "Drones"! Mike had the most wacky and yet intelligent sense of humor of anyone I´ve ever known except my father. In fact, their humor was similar in many ways, including wearing a paper bag on their heads! I learned so much from Mike. I learned how to distill a case into a simple, logical, interesting story. I learned not to take the practice of law at Big Law too seriously, but always ethically. Mike was a curious, kind, empathetic, eccentric soul. Every St Patrick´s Day I think of him taking over our intercom system and playing his Irish tune across the whole firm. He did know everyone. And everyone´s family. And cared enough to ask people how they really were. I am full of memories and full of grief. But I know Mike would get a kick out of my tears and tell me to stop. After he called me an unmentionable name! I´m so sad for Linda, his 3 kids and all his grandkids. He was so proud of all of you. There is no love without grief, unfortunately.

Gilda and Bill

May 22, 2023

My heart aches for the Ryan family. Mike adored Linda, his children, his grandchildren. He may be gone from their arms, but he is forever in their hearts.
Such a wonderful man. Such a wonderful family. I worked for him for close to two decades, and one of his greatest gifts was his ability to remember not only the names of his partners' and colleagues' wives and children, but the names of the wives and children of our parking attendants and cleaning crew. It was amazing to watch how warmly and personally he greeted everyone, always asking about their families. Mike housed such a beautiful soul.
To his family, I offer this prayer: "May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life."
My husband and I extend our deepest condolences.

John Lazar

May 21, 2023

We'll miss this giant of a person. To me, even though I've spent only a handful of times with him, he is an example of what I hope to become as a warm, decent, loving person. With love, John Lazar.

Louise Clarke Stone

May 21, 2023

The world is a better place because of Mike Ryan's presence and his work. His sense of humor, kindness, and attitude all contributed to making the world a better place. Loved working with and knowing him for over 30 years. Mike was the best!

Mac Bledsoe

May 20, 2023

MICHAEL RYAN was most likely the only person with the nickname of "Beast" to ever attend Harvard Law School! He was a kind, caring, friend, and he was one of the toughest and fiercest teammates that anyone could ever have hoped to have. He was my teammate on the line for the Husky Football Team and he remained one of my most loyal friends right up to the end of his life. He will be missed dearly!

Faithful Blessings Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

With love, Wade and Kim Abbott

Sent Flowers

Joe Lichtenstein

May 19, 2023

I never properly thanked you for all your help during my career at UPS. Your expertise, guidance, sense of humor and friendship is something I´ll never forget. Rest in Peace my friend. I´ll remember you always.

Richard Grosvenor

May 19, 2023

Mike and I grew up in Wenatchee at the same time we went to Whitman grade school, HB Ellison, middle school and Wenatchee high school graduating in 1962. He was from one of the best families you´ll ever meet in Wenatchee . His parents John and Jane Ryan were very kind to everybody they met. I will miss him as a friend. I hope his family finds peace, knowing that he was such a fine individual.

Al Saibini NV Alpha '76

May 19, 2023

In coelo quies est.

Barbara Deadrick

May 19, 2023

My sincere condolences to Mikes loved ones. He was one of a kind. He was genuine. He was clever and he was kind. One of my favorite persons from my years at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. He was genuine - the real deal. One of the greatest feast on the many memories of a wonderful man.

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