Robert M. "Bob" Ryan

Robert M. "Bob" Ryan, 70, of Clyde Street, West Warwick, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Kent Hospital. He was the beloved husband of 35 years to Martha S. (Schad) Ryan.

Born in North Providence, RI, he was the son of the late Thomas F. Ryan, Jr. and Rita A. (Ostiguy) Ryan.

Bob was a 1973 graduate of LaSalle Academy, where he began playing the trombone. During his senior year he was one of Rhode Island's two members of McDonald's All American High School Marching Band, with whom he marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade. He was also a member of The Young Rhode Islanders band. After high school, he attended Rhode Island School of Music and Berklee College of Music. He played in several local bands over the years, including Sax Odyssey, Jazz Odyssey, Sunshyn, Bits and Pieces, Naked Truth, Brass Attack, the Night Life Orchestra, Mark Bedrossian's Party Band, and the Stormin' Horns. He and Martha met while playing in the Gene Milton Orchestra. He also played with Tavares, Ray Charles, the Temptations, and Aretha Franklin. Bob was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame as a founding member of Naked Truth, now Steve Smith and the Nakeds.

Bob was a skilled arranger and music producer. It occurred to him as he practiced Tae Kwon Do that music for the forms would make it much easier to memorize and perform them as required to move to the next level. He created and produced a unique piece of music for each form and videoed a Tae Kwon Do Master performing each form to the music. He produced DVDs and marketed them under the name Kickin' Tracks.

In addition to music, Bob loved comedy. He knew countless funny stories and told them well. He was a member of the comedy troupe The Bonzo Brothers as well as a big fan of The Three Stooges, Red at the Tube Bar, Monty Python, the Marx Brothers, and many more.

His other interests included videography, video editing and production, helicopters, collies, gyrocopters and powered paragliders. He loved coffee frappes and french fries and at times joked about founding a chain of Bob Ryan's Frappe and Fries restaurants. He frequented Newport Creamery and was well known by waitstaff for his special recipe for Awful Awfuls and frappes (6 squirts of coffee syrup, two scoops and ½ a cup of milk). He was raised with collies and his life with Martha was joyously shared with two collie dogs.

He was a dedicated member of Woodridge Congregational Church UCC in Cranston. He played in the chimes choir and frequently arranged special pieces to be performed by himself and other musicians in the congregation as part of worship. He faithfully videotaped services during covid and made them available online. He was a beloved member of the congregation.

Bob was a good son, a good brother, a good husband. He was a good man. He was always ready to help someone when needed, even if that person had wronged him in the past.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his siblings, Tom Ryan and his wife Ginny of Texas, Joe Ryan and his wife Susan of Florida, Ray Ryan and his wife Fran of North Providence and Michael Ryan of North Providence. He is also survived by his brother- and sisters-in-laws, Bill Schad of New York, Pat Mercier and her husband Ron of Connecticut, Suzanne Storm and her husband Dave of North Carolina, and Cindy Schad of California. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Collie Rescue League of New England and New York. Here is a link to their website: Donate | CRLNE

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Woodridge Congregation Church UCC, 546 Budlong Rd, Cranston, RI. Visitation will begin at 10 AM with the service at 11:00 AM. The livestream of the service may be viewed at (42) Woodridge Church - YouTube.