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Michael Ryan Obituary
At the University of Washington, Mike was, again, an Honors Student ( Economics); two-time co-captain of the football team; first-team all-conference in football; first-team Academic All-American, and inducted into the National Football Foundation as a National Scholar-Athlete. In addition, while at UW, Mike was a member of Phi Delta Theta; Fir Tree; Oval Club; Purple Shield; was elected to the Board of Control and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. He was selected as a Rotary Scholar and spent a year studying in Germany. After graduating, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1971 whereupon he joined the law firm of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher where he was a partner in the Employment Law Section. He spent his last active professional years as a partner at Allen Matkins in Los Angeles.
Mike worked to share his love of Shakespeare, call out inequity, and advance education in his roles as a board member of Marlborough School, Western Center on Law and Poverty, and the Shakespeare Center LA.
Mike was a rare gem of a person. A down-to-earth, fiercely loving husband, father, papa, and friend. His wit, irreverence, and genuine interest in other people endeared him to all who met him.
Mike's legacy is the family that survives him: his wife and the love of his life, Linda Jean; his three children, Susan Elizabeth ( spouse Damian); Mary Colleen (spouse Monica), and John Joseph ( spouse Nandar). He adored his four perfect grandchildren: Nathan, Eliza, Zara, and Finn as well as his older brother, Joe.
Mike passed peacefully at home on May 15, 2023, after a long and courageous bout with Mesothelioma, surrounded by the people he loved so powerfully.
A Celebration of Life Mass was held on Saturday, May 20th, at 1 PM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westwood, Los Angeles. Contributions in his memory can be made to St. Joseph Center; Western Center on Law and Poverty; Shakespeare Center LA, and Mutual Myanmar.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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.
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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!
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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