L.D. Ryan

L.D. Ryan, 91, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away on December 22, 2025, at Shiloh Health and Rehab, in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born on August 19, 1934, at home in Mongo, Indiana, to Leonard L. Ryan and Dorothy Irene Walker. He grew up in Mongo and graduated from Springfield Township High School in 1952. After serving in the U.S. Navy as Engineman 2nd Class on the minesweepers USS Tercel and USS Grosbeak, L.D. studied mechanical engineering (BS Tri-State University, MS University of Toledo, PhD Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University). He worked for many years as a professional engineer and as a college professor (Western Michigan University, Tri-State University, John Brown University). While at Western Michigan University, he coauthored the textbook Fundamentals of Solar Heating. He founded and ran several business ventures including Ryan Engineering and Safety Engineering, and also started the non-profit Earth Mission.

L.D. met the love of his life, Susan Double, in 1957 and they were married January 25, 1958 in Toledo, Ohio. Together they raised five boys. In 1977, he recruited his family to help build a cabin on Beaver Island, Michigan from wood felled on their farm in Vicksburg, Michigan. He particularly enjoyed spending summers there on the island, fishing, playing music, and writing. In his later years, he wrote and self-published several works of fiction. L.D. was a devout Christian. He enjoyed sharing his faith with others and helping people who most needed it. He was an active member of The Assembly Church in Siloam Springs.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Susan Ryan; his mother, Dorothy Ryan; his father, Leonard Ryan; and his grandson, Judah Ryan.

L.D. is survived by his sons: Mitch Ryan, of Chiang Mai, Thailand; Dave Ryan, of North Mankato, Minnesota; Steve Ryan, of Ames, Iowa; Dan Ryan, of Chiang Mai, Thailand; and John Ryan, of Poncha Springs, Colorado; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Assembly in Siloam Springs on June 27th at 2pm. To sign the online guestbook, please visit: www.wassonfuneralhome.com