Ronald D. Ryan

A Life Lived at Full Throttle, With Faith at the Center

Ronald D. “Ron” Ryan, a man whose life spanned more adventure, risk, faith, and gratitude than most could imagine, passed away peacefully at the age of 87. He leaves behind a legacy that stretches from the banks of the Mississippi River to the skies above six continents, from humble beginnings in Iowa to the founding of an international airline. To those who knew him, Ron was a force of nature—bold, curious, relentless, and deeply loving. His story was one of improbable beginnings, hard earned triumphs, and a spirit that refused to be grounded.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, aviator, entrepreneur who moved at the speed of sound, Ron lived with a rare combination of daring, gratitude, humor, and deep faith. To know him was to witness a life lived fully—one defined not by titles or accolades, but by perseverance, generosity, and the joy he found in every new horizon.

Born on a bitterly cold January day in 1939 in Burlington, Iowa, he grew up the third of seven children in a tiny two bedroom home perched on a bluff above the Mississippi River. Though the family had little money, they had an abundance of love, grit, and adventure.

Ron’s early years were marked by responsibility and ambition. At age 10, he took on the largest newspaper route in Burlington, learning firsthand that some people would cheat a paperboy while others would surprise him with kindness. By 14, he was working in restaurants, mastering every job from dishwasher to cook. He bought his first motorcycle as soon as he could legally ride one and his first car at 16. Even then, he lived life fast, with stories that hinted at the pilot he would one day become.

After high school, Ron entered the world of manufacturing. He became a machinist and later a certified tool & die maker, working at Sheaffer Pen, J.I. Case, and Western Electric. He had a natural talent for improving processes—redesigning dies, increasing production efficiency, and earning the respect of supervisors who recognized his ingenuity. But even as he excelled, he felt a pull toward something bigger.

Ron’s first taste of flight came through friends, and he traded his motorcycle for flying time, taking on any job that put him in the air, and built hours at a pace few pilots ever achieve.

Ron’s career took a pivotal turn when he met the Chief Pilot of TWA in Kansas City, inspiring him to pursue aviation. Within six months, he earned his private, commercial, multi-engine, and flight instructor licenses.

He was hired as Chief Pilot for Skyway Aviation in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and later became a full-time flight instructor at Fairfax Airport/Midwest Learjet in Kansas City. After a notable incident landing a plane with partial gear down, he was offered a position as Learjet Co-Pilot.

Ron was then hired by Jack DeBoer in Wichita, Kansas, as Chief Pilot, eventually acquiring half of DeBoer’s aviation assets and launching a charter operation. Partnering with real estate developer George Ablah, Ron established a successful jet charter business in Wichita.

Over the decades, Ron flew more than 30 types of aircraft and accumulated over 30,000 flight hours He maintained the following credentials: Airline Transport Pilot Rating (Certificate #1658728), Certified Flight Instructor, First Class Airman Medical Certificate, and was Type-rated in Boeing 727, Learjets, Cessna Citations, and qualified King Air Models. He flew military personnel, celebrities, sports teams, politicians, medical patients, everyday travelers, and executives for major corporations such as Procter & Gamble.

Ron also managed passenger operations, including three 727s for wholesale tour operators, and initiated freight operations in the South Pacific. He set up airline operations for Morris Air Services, which was later acquired by Southwest Airlines, and held a ten-year contract with the U.S. Postal Service.

Ron’s aviation career expanded into entrepreneurship when he founded Ryan Aviation Corporation and later, Ryan International Airlines. Under Ron’s guidance, the Ryan companies grew from three employees and annual sales under $200,000 in 1972 to 1,500 employees and sales exceeding $200 million. His leadership blended bold vision with a deep loyalty to the people who worked alongside him.

He pioneered new airfreight operations for Emery flying eight Cessna Citations and later helping Emery expand to larger aircraft. In 1972, Ron transitioned his company from a 135 Charter Operator to a 121 Charter Operator in just 60 days—a record achievement. Under his leadership, Emery’s fleet grew from five to twenty-two Boeing 727 cargo planes, and UPS contracted Ryan to operate ten Boeing 727s and 5 Boeing 757s.

He survived icing, electrical failures, emergency landings, and the unpredictable challenges of weather and machinery. He often joked that when he met God face to face, God’s first question would be, “Ryan, do you know how many angels I used up on you?”

He was actively involved (past and present) in many community groups, boards and committees including Wichita Wagonmasters, Wichita Festivals, Wichita Airport Authority, Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita Aeroclub, Kansas Water Commission, Boy Scouts, Saint Francis Hospital, Kansas Newman College, The Kansas Food Bank, Wichita’s Downtown Development Committee, Wichita Aero Club. The Kansas Advanced Technology Committee, Doc’s Friends, The Flying Fezzes – a group of Masons who flew kids to hospitals for treatment at no cost, and the YMCA among many others through the years as a means to give back to his community. Ron was also an Honorary Colonel of McConnell AFB and was Admiral Windwagon Smith 41 in 2014. In 2023, Ron received from the FAA, The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, a recognition of “Dedicated Service in Aviation Safety.” Other awards and honors include Chamber of Commerce Award (2003), Junior Achievement Award (1999), Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame – Governor’s Award, Metro Award for Fastest Growing Company in Wichita, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Ron and Renae were also involved in the Green Energy endeavors with Agriboard. After 300 building projects with Walmart, the Post Office, banks, homes, and retail spaces, they were able to deliver and build homes and schools in Sri Lanka and Haiti following devastating natural disasters that destroyed peoples’ lives. The use of the product characterized the heart of how Ron operated when he could do something while thinking of others that couldn’t.

Yet for all his accomplishments, Ron’s greatest pride was his family. He dedicated his autobiography Making Money Out of Thin Air to his sons Dale, Mark, and Scott, acknowledging the many days he was away flying and expressing his enduring love for them.

Ron’s life was shaped by gratitude. He believed deeply in God’s protection, the power of perseverance, and the importance of helping others. He and Renae established scholarship programs and supported over 60 young people pursuing college or vocational training, remembering what it felt like to want an education they could not afford.

Ron was preceded in death by parents Everett and Mildred, sister Barbara Cummings, and son Mark. He is survived by his loving wife and partner, Renae; sons Dale (Kara) and Scott (Rhonda); grandchildren Daisy, Alicia Ryan-Lies (Corey), Amanda Miller (Levi). Kayla (Michael Riffenmacher), Xavier, and Xelexus “Lexi” Snyder (Jacob); 13 great-grandchildren; siblings Larry (Gayla), Wayne, Charlene Crilley, Marilyn Wischmeier, and Bob (Paula); numerous nieces and nephews and a wide circle of family, friends, colleagues, and fellow aviators who will forever feel his absence and cherish his memory.

Ron Ryan lived life like every day was his last yet planned as though he would live forever. His journey continues now beyond the horizon he chased so many times; into the eternity he trusted with all his heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that gifts be given in Ron’s name at any of the following organizations.

Friends University Fine Arts Department, 2100 W. University, Wichita, KS 67213

Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple, Wichita, KS 67213

Lake Center Baptist Church, 29020 S. Highway 125, Monkey Island, OK 74331

LifeChange Church, 10225 E. Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS 67207

Kansas Aviation Museum, 3350 George Washington Blvd, Wichita, KS 67210

To watch an interview with Ron click here                                                                                                                              

Portions of the following are taken from Making Money Out of Thin Air…My life as a High Time Pilot, Ron Ryan’s autobiography (2021)

The Story of Ron Ryan

Ron Ryan’s life story is one of motion—across rivers, across continents, across industries, and across decades of rapid change. Born in the depths of winter in 1939 in Burlington, Iowa, Ron entered the world in humble surroundings: a small two-bedroom home perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. He was the third of seven children born to Everett and Mildred Ryan, growing up in a household defined by faith, hard work, discipline, and resilience. Those early years, shaped by scarcity but rich in adventure, forged the character that would guide him through aviation records, entrepreneurial triumphs, devastating losses, and reinvention.

Roots Along the Mississippi

Ron’s childhood was steeped in freedom and risk. He and his siblings built rafts from scrap lumber and floated the Mississippi River. They ice skated in winter, sledded down steep hills, and learned firsthand the consequences of pushing limits. One near-drowning incident left a permanent mark on Ron, instilling both respect for danger and confidence in survival.

Money was scarce. The family had no car for many years, and luxuries were rare. Yet Ron’s parents provided something far more valuable: a foundation of faith and accountability. Church was central to family life, and personal responsibility was expected. From a young age, Ron learned that if he wanted something, he would have to work for it.

At ten years old, he took on the largest newspaper route in town, collecting subscriptions and learning early lessons in persistence and customer service. As a teenager, he worked in restaurants, washed dishes, and saved his earnings carefully. By sixteen, he had purchased his first motorcycle; by seventeen, his first car. These early achievements were more than material acquisitions—they were declarations of independence.

Craftsmanship and Ambition

After high school, Ron pursued a trade, becoming a tool and die maker. He trained rigorously and earned certification, developing precision skills that would later influence his engineering mindset. He worked for respected companies, including Sheaffer Pen, J.I. Case, and Western Electric. Even as a young machinist, he sought efficiency, innovation, and improvement. He regularly redesigned processes to increase output, revealing an entrepreneurial instinct that would later define his career.

Yet while machining offered security, it did not satisfy his appetite for challenge. A piece of advice from his grandfather lingered in his mind: “Work for the airlines—that’s where the future is.” Aviation, still glamorous and expanding in the post-war era, beckoned.

Discovering the Sky

Ron’s first flight in a small aircraft changed everything. After only six hours of instruction, he soloed—an experience he described as both terrifying and transcendent. From that moment on, aviation was not just a career path but a calling.

Building flight hours in those days required creativity and sacrifice. Ron traded possessions for lessons and took flying jobs that paid little but offered experience. He flew small aircraft in challenging conditions, learning through real-world exposure rather than simulation. Rejections came, including early disappointment from Trans World Airlines (TWA), but Ron treated setbacks as temporary obstacles rather than verdicts.

Over time, he accumulated ratings and experience across more than 30 aircraft types. His career eventually spanned over 30,000 flight hours—roughly three times the career average of many airline captains. He flew cargo, passengers, charters, and military contracts. He navigated icing conditions, mechanical failures, lightning strikes, and emergency landings. Through it all, he developed a philosophy that blended preparation, faith, and calm decisiveness.

Around the World at Record Speed

One of the defining highlights of Ron’s aviation career came in 1988 when he participated in a round-the-world speed record flight aboard a Boeing 747SP. The aircraft circled the globe in just over 36 hours, averaging approximately 685 miles per hour.

The flight symbolized more than speed—it represented teamwork, coordination, and human ingenuity. For Ron, it was a pinnacle achievement in a profession that had begun in modest Midwest airstrips.

Building an Airline 

Ron’s ambitions extended beyond flying airplanes; he wanted to build something lasting. From Wichita, Kansas—widely known as the Air Capital of the World—he founded Ryan Aviation and later Ryan International Airlines.

Ryan International Airlines grew into a global charter operation, providing passenger and cargo services as well as military transport. The company operated worldwide, serving clients ranging from vacation groups to U.S. defense operations.

Ron built his airline differently than many competitors. Having faced rejection early in his career, he gave young pilots opportunities when others would not. He valued loyalty and work ethic as much as résumé credentials. Many pilots who began at Ryan International went on to successful careers elsewhere, crediting Ron for opening the door.

Entrepreneurship was not without turbulence. The airline industry is notoriously volatile, sensitive to fuel prices, global events, regulation, and economic cycles. Ron navigated recessions, regulatory shifts, and the seismic changes following 9/11. Through expansion and contraction, he remained committed to honoring obligations and protecting employees as best he could.

Risk, Setback, and Reinvention

Ron’s autobiography does not shy away from failures and miscalculations. He acknowledges business ventures that did not succeed and strategic risks that proved costly. Yet a defining pattern emerges: when knocked down, he rebuilt.

That resilience was tested dramatically through his involvement with Agriboard, an innovative building system made from compressed agricultural fiber (CAF board). Motivated by environmental concerns and the desire to create strong, affordable housing, Ron invested heavily—financially and emotionally—into modernizing this product.

The Agriboard panels were remarkable: fire resistant, tornado tested, structurally strong, and highly insulated. Ron envisioned global applications, particularly for affordable housing in disaster-prone regions.

Over several years, more than 300 structures were built using the system. Business interest grew, including conversations with major corporations. Then disaster struck.

The Electra Mill Fire 

A wildfire, sparked by arcing power lines in high winds, swept through the Agriboard plant in Electra, Texas. In hours, millions of dollars of infrastructure were destroyed. The mill, storage barns, inventory—even railroad ties—burned in an inferno so intense that concrete floors exploded.

Years of investment vanished overnight.

Yet amid the devastation, one structure survived: a test house built entirely from Agriboard panels and steel studs. Soot-covered but structurally intact, it stood as proof of concept. The fire that destroyed the factory validated the product.

The financial aftermath proved nearly as punishing as the blaze. Ron endured seven years of litigation with his insurance company, which resisted paying claims. Ultimately, he prevailed in court, recovering funds but at enormous emotional and opportunity cost.

He reopened temporarily to fulfill outstanding customer orders, even at financial loss, prioritizing reputation and integrity over profit. Eventually, however, he chose not to reinvest his own capital, at that time, to rebuild the plant, citing wisdom, health considerations, and risk management.

Global Humanitarian Applications

Agriboard’s story did not end with Texas. Ron and his team built homes in Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami and attempted similar efforts in Haiti after its earthquake. Bureaucracy and corruption complicated delivery in some regions, but homes were completed and continue to shelter families.

In India, through a licensing agreement, a new mill began producing Agriboard panels, with ambitions of building entire communities. Ron viewed this not merely as business expansion but as proof that sustainable construction could serve global housing needs.

His philosophy was clear: green technology must not sacrifice workers’ livelihoods but instead create opportunity while protecting the planet.

Faith and Perspective 

Throughout the autobiography, Ron returns repeatedly to faith. He interprets survival—from childhood accidents to in-flight emergencies to heart attack and cancer recovery—as evidence of divine grace.

Faith informed his decisions, softened his regrets, and grounded his identity beyond financial success. He defined success not as wealth but as “the progressive realization of a worthwhile goal.”

In later years, he reflected on balance—acknowledging that aviation demanded time away from family. He dedicated his life story to his sons, expressing love and gratitude. His partnership with his wife, Renae, is portrayed as steadying and essential.

Community and Legacy 

Beyond business, Ron invested in community organizations, youth development, and aviation history preservation. He supported educational scholarships to help students attend college or vocational school, remembering how desperately he once wanted opportunity.

He contributed to aviation museums, civic groups, and charitable organizations in Wichita and beyond. His life demonstrates an evolution—from ambitious young mechanic to seasoned executive concerned with legacy.

Lessons from a Life in Motion 

Several themes emerge consistently throughout Ron Ryan’s autobiography:

Work Ethic Is Transformational – Early paper routes and restaurant jobs taught him discipline that later scaled to airlines and global ventures.Risk Is Inevitable – Whether soloing an aircraft at minimal hours or launching a manufacturing plant, progress required courage.Failure Is Instructional – Rejections and disasters refined rather than defeated him.Integrity Outlasts Profit – Filling orders after the fire, despite losses, preserved reputation.Faith Anchors Turbulence – Spiritual conviction provided steadiness amid volatility.Opportunity Should Be Shared – Ron repeatedly gave chances to those others overlooked.

Final Reflections 

Ron Ryan’s life reads like a high-altitude flight plan—ambitious departures, unexpected turbulence, emergency maneuvers, smooth cruising stretches, and breathtaking vistas. He rose from modest means to circle the globe, build an international airline, pioneer sustainable construction, and influence countless careers.

Yet the autobiography is less about wealth or records than about persistence. Ron’s journey illustrates that ordinary beginnings do not limit extraordinary outcomes. With discipline, resilience, faith, and a willingness to risk, a boy from a small Iowa house overlooking the Mississippi River can fly around the world—and build enterprises that outlast the flames.

His story ultimately affirms a belief he carried from childhood: life is precious, fleeting, and best lived boldly—with gratitude for every safe landing.