Robert Samuel "Bob" Ryan

The fondest memory I had with Bob was the SLATS class in 2012. One session was canceled due to snow, subsequently I ran into Bob at the Barnes and Noble. We talked about launch vehicle control systems and among other subjects for 2 hours. He is a symbol at which every NASA engineer should thrive towards. Bob, you will be missed!

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will miss you Bob always.

I met Bob at one of the SLATS classes. He was such a nice man and had plenty of good stories to tell.

Bob exemplified everything good about people. I treasure the times I worked with him. Rest in peace.

Bob was a great engineer and teacher who loved sharing his knowledge with others in a patient and very kind way. He also understood what life is all about and now he has crossed the dark river of death to be with his Savior.

Our country has lost a truly great American and a national treasure. My first assignment that allowed our career paths to cross was in 1999. Bob was one of the most knowledgeable technical experts I ever worked woth and he was a true gentleman. I fwlt honored and humbled to call him my friend.

Uncle Robert was an amazing person. Rick, Steve you had a wonderful father.

I hope Bob's contributions to NASA structures and loads engineering knowledge will be his legacy for many generations. He was a treat to listen to and was a generous, brilliant teacher and mentor.

A very nice patient. Will be greatly missed by our office.

It was a great honor for me to work with Bob on the Space Shuttle Main Engine Dynamics. He was more than a customer, and I considered him a mentor and friend. Our country has lost a truly great man. He will be remembered in our prayers. My condolences on his passing to his family and friends.

John Haworth Reseda, CA

I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Ryan as a student for one of his launch vehicle classes. I knew immediately what a great man he was. NASA was blessed to have him on their team!

Enjoyed our friendship and working relationship.
Luke

A life well lived! Condolences to the family.

My most sincere condolences go to his family. I so enjoyed his classes and loved learning about how he handled very difficult engineering problems. He was an inspiration and will be missed here at NASA.

Thank you Bob for all the good times that we had in Aero-Astrodynamics Lab. Good memories.

Bob's physical presence was captivating. His calm demeanor, combined with the ever-present twinkle in his eye gave everyone reason to be at his knee. His greatest strength, in my opinion, was that he listened before speaking. I'm not an engineer, but I was lucky enough to be in a meeting when he supported my spontaneous idea of breaking out into groups around the room-- we put up paper on the walls for lists. He sat, watched, thought, and only after everyone spoke did he make a comment. He was a mentor to me in that moment.

Bob was and outstanding gentleman and a wonderful friend. His friendship and knowledge will be greatly missed.

Bob was my mentor and friend. He will be missed. I want to send deepest condolences to the family.

So sorry to hear about the loss of such a great man. He taught many classes that I attended over the years. He was a kind and gentle person and he made you feel like you could ask any question even if it was a dumb question. He will be missed by me
and the entire NASA team.

Bob was a true gentleman. I was able to attend one of his Lessons Learned classes while I was at Marshall where I learned so much of NASA's history. I count that as one of the many blessings I received from knowing Bob Ryan.

Bob was wonderful to work with. I enjoyed the years that I had the pleasure to do so. He was a great engineer and a really great human being and will be sorely missed.

We are deeply saddened at Robert's passing and send our deepest condolences to his family.

Bob and I enjoyed many interactions working with regard to the various NASA flight programs at the Marshall Space Flight Center. He will be missed by all concerned. My condolences to the family.

I'm sad to hear of Bob's passing. Bob Ryan was a great engineer and a great person! He was one of the first senior engineers I met when beginning my career in the aerospace industry, and was a great encourager. He had a flair for communicating difficult concepts in a simple manner.

I pray for his family during this time and am thankful for his life. The world is certainly a better place through Bob's life!

Bob was my hero. He was a mentor and a friend. He did everything a NASA engineer could have dreamed of doing. I will miss him.

Bob was a highly regarded engineer at NASA and after his retirement taught many significant classes regarding best engineering practices. He made a difference.

Bob has been a great influence in my career, both while I was at MSFC and now at LaRC. He was a great example of engineering excellence but more importantly, a wonderful person to know and interact with. One could tell that he enjoyed being with people and helping guide them. He had joy in his heart. I always enjoyed talking with Bob, especially after he retired and he could mentor folks instead of managing them. He had so much to offer and I am honored to have been able to work for and with him. I am so sorry to hear of his passing, but I know he is with the Lord and with his loving wife. My deepest sympathy to the family at this time.

Bob taught several of the classes I have taken in my short time at NASA. I remember once after class talking with him about college basketball and piano -- he had such a diverse range of interests and experiences and his love for his family was always evident.

What a special person -- thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Sending My Love and Prayers to all the Family & Loved Ones...

This is a sad day for me, learning of the death of Bob Ryan. As a Johnson Space Center employee in Houston, Bob was a very helpful and generous mentor to me during a very stressful time in my career at the beginning of the Space Shuttle design activity. He sensed my frustration with a job assignment, reached out to me, and was able to help me begin to understand a complex technical problem in my area of responsibility. I cherish our long-time personal and professional relationship that continued over the years. My deepest sympathy goes out to his loving family.

I truly enjoyed visits with Bob. We spent hours talking about family. He once told me that he had all the recognition that he could ever want as a result of his career. He wanted people to know that the real hero was his wife. Bob loved to talk about her love for the piano. I will miss you old friend.