Delvin Richard (Dick) Ryan Jr.

Delvin Richard (Dick) Ryan, Jr. of Placida, FL and Jackson, WY passed away on December 27, 2024 after a brief illness. Dick was loved as a husband and father and is survived by his wife, Nancy, his children Rick (Katy), Amy, Molly Findley (Mark) and Carrie Rode. His grandchildren Del, Kelly Beacham (Colby), Chris, Jake Findley, Drew (Nicolette), Wiley Rode, and Jackie Rode, and his great grandchildren Finley and Charlotte Beacham, and Orson Mulryan will miss him greatly.

Dick was born in Eckart Mines, MD in 1939 to Delvin and Mary (Davies) Ryan. He grew up with his siblings Linda, Diane and David. After graduating from Beall High in Frostburg, MD he obtained a BS in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the football team. Shortly after, he earned an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Dick was married to Betty Ann (McLane) for 18 years and Betty Ann left us in 1986.

Dick married Nancy in 1981 and recently celebrated their 43rd anniversary. Nancy’s son’s Erich (Hey Young) and Franz (Kim) Oehler joined Dick’s family at that time. Throughout their marriage, Dick and Nancy traveled the world for business and pleasure. In 2021 they left their longtime home in Illinois and moved to Florida to escape the cold.

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Dick had an impressive career starting at RCA and GE, then moving to Chase Brass & Copper Co. before leaving as International General Manager. He switched to the housewares industry and was President of the Cookware Group at General Housewares Corp, President of Ingrid, Ltd, President of Dansk and Gorham, CEO of ERO, Inc, and Owner and Chairman of Columbian Home Products. After a brief attempt at retirement, he was actively working on a new cookware business called ICON. He served several terms as president of industry trade groups and was active in Young Presidents Organization.

In addition to being an audiophile, Dick’s interests included fly fishing, skiing, sailing, photography, and reading.

Dick will be remembered as a generous, loving man who treasured and loved his family and will be missed immensely by all.

His funeral will be private. Details of a memorial service will be announced soon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to “The Dick Ryan Scholarship” which provides four years of funding for a deserving student at Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg, MD (previously Beall High School) to attend college to study science, technology, engineering or math. Contributions can be mailed to Community Trust Foundation, 112 Baltimore St, Ste 201, Cumberland, MD 21502 with “Dick Ryan Scholarship” in the memo, or online at ctfinc.org/give and scroll to the Scholarships section and select The Dick Ryan Scholarship.