Charles Anthony Ryerson III

I just learned of my beloved friend's death! Many years ago we shared wonderful times in New York and Taiwan , developing a strong, lasting bond. Thank God for Charlie's life! Ann McCurdy Collier

Our mentor, Guru, and a great friend. praise God for his life and ministry.Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
V. S. Varughese, Gigi, and Sam

Charlie and I spent so many memorable times in India, Princeton, and Rhode Island. I was his sidekick on many adventures. Many thanks, I will miss you.

To the Ryerson Family: My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.

Charlie has always been a special guy for me, though we never really spent a lot of time together. He and I met as I was about to go off to India for the first time, and following my college graduation. He originally went to India on the same program that sent me, the Oberlin Shansi organization, and he showed up to help orient me as I was leaving. His enthusiasm, sense of humor, and notions of wicked irony just amazed me. I'll never forget his saying, ''You're gonna love India. It'll ruin your life.'' Right he was, in the best way possible. Later, in was in Tamilnadu as a graduate student and he showed up again, this time to give me some much needed support when I was in one of those occasional ''India funks'' that seem to drain energy and enthusiasm. I don't remember what he said as he took me out to eat, but it did the trick. I invited him to come and speak at DePauw when I was there, and he was a sparkling hit among students full of stories and anecdotes and charming whoever crossed his path.

What always struck me about him was how Indians loved him. He had this magic that attracted admiration and praise. Not a single Indian I know had anthing bad to say about him.

A great guy and very much a pioneer in Indian studies: he had a missionary appointment for a few years and did an enormous amount to dignify among academics the role missionaries could play. I found him down-to-earth, funny, a bit ornery, and very generous with what he knew and with his time.

Rest in Peace Charles! You will be missed by all! Say hi to Aunt Ada and Uncle Charles for us.

May you celebrate and cherish a life well lived and loved by many. God keep those who pass on in his memory because they are precious to him. Psalms 116:15. Ga.