John Ryff

John V. "Jack" Ryff passed away Friday morning, July 21, 2023 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Chambersburg. He was born October 18, 1932 in Jersey City, NJ and lived in Union City until 1943. His family moved to Wood-Ridge, NJ where he completed his high school education. Following graduation, he joined the US Marine Corps. After recruit and infantry training, he was assigned to the Seventh Marine Regiment of the First Marine Division in Korea. Returning, he was assigned to the Second Marine Air Wing in North Carolina. In the summer of 1953 he sailed with the Third Marine Division to Japan where he completed his tour serving with the Twelfth Marines. Following his discharge, he enrolled in Syracuse University to study engineering and mathematics.
John married Margaret Ann Klug of Wheeling, WV in 1958; a registered dietitian, she predeceased him in 2012. Following their wedding, the couple moved to California where he completed his graduate work in mathematics at Stanford University. His first faculty position was at Harvard University, followed by an Air Force Fellowship and appointment as assistant professor at the University of Washington. The couple moved to Princeton for two years when John was awarded a visiting membership at the Institute for Advanced Study. That was followed by a three-year tour at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Washington. John was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Connecticut from 1972 to 1979 after which he returned as program director at NSF. He retired from there in 1994; the couple moved to Cape Cod where they enjoyed retirement, eventually moving to Fayetteville, PA in 2007. His research focused primarily on mathematical analysis involving differential equations, classical function theory, operator theory and harmonic analysis. He later moved to Menno Haven Retirement Community in Chambersburg, PA.
He is survived by his brother Albert L. Ryff, Jr. of Ridgefield, CT, his sister-in-law Yvonne Klug of Wheeling WV, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Kathleen M. Ryff. of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, his sister-in-law, Mary C. Klug of Wheeling, WV, and brothers-in-law, Gerald
M. Klug of St. Clairsville, OH and Dr. Thomas J. Klug of Harlingen, Texas.
John was a volunteer medical driver for the Menno Haven Retirement Community, an active communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Orrtanna and a 68-year member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed many sports, especially tennis, squash and running, together with a decade of comradeship with the Cape Cod Old Timers Softball League and activities at the Chambersburg YMCA. He was a life member of the VFW and 1st Marine Division Association and long-time member of the American Legion, US Naval Institute and founding supporter of the Marine Corps Museum.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dominic DiBiccaro at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 29, 2023 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Ortanna. Private Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Wheeling, WV.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 1095 Church Road, Orrtanna, PA, 17353; Tuition Angels fund at Corpus Christi Church, 320 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg PA, 17201; the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA at donate.milarch.org; or Doctors Without Borders at donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.
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