Dr. Donald Hillsdon Ryan

Dr. Donald Hillsdon Ryan, formerly of Petersburg, passed away on May 9, 2005, in London, England. He is survived by his spouse, Gail Von Bergen Ryan of London; daughters, Kristina A. Ryan of Lincoln, Massachusetts, Kim R. Hirschy of Geneva, Switzerland, Shelly R. Walsh of Potomac, Maryland, and Alexandra R. Benard of Thoiry, France; seven grandchildren; brother, James H. Ryan of Petersburg, Virginia; and sister-in-law, Patricia A. Ryan of Petersburg, Virginia. Dr. Ryan was born September 23, 1924, in Petersburg, Virginia, son of Richard H. and Mary M. Ryan. He was descended from a First Family of Virginia and the Founding Fathers of Petersburg. He was raised in Petersburg and Colonial Heights. He graduated from Petersburg High School in 1942 where he had won letters in four major sports in the same year, the first person to have accomplished this feat. He attended the Virginia Military Institute for one year then went on active duty with the U.S. Army in World War II rising to the rank of second lieutenant of infantry after attending Infantry Officer Candidate School. At war's end, he left the Army and served in the U.S. Office of Military Government in occupied Germany as coordinator of transportation resources for the German economy. He returned to the United States in 1947 and completed his undergraduate college education at the College of William and Mary in Virginia in 1950. Afterwards, he attended the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration from which he graduated with a master's degree in business administration in 1952. He was awarded the degree of doctor of laws from William and Mary, honoris causa. After working in various sales and management capacities with the firm of Procter and Gamble in the United States and Europe, he founded Merchandising International with a partner from his Harvard Business School class beginning operations in Brussels, Belgium, in 1957. He later bought out his partner and built the company into a worldwide business of over 5,000 retail outlets in 29 countries primarily under the name Mister Minit, managing the company from his office in Geneva, Switzerland. He founded a manufacturing operation in Erembodegem, Belgium, which was the largest producer of shoe repair machinery, key cutting machinery, and key blanks in the world. He sold the business and retired in 1997, then moved to London, England. Dr. Ryan was a generous person who supported not-for-profit operations on an international basis, among them: The American College in Switzerland, Louvain University in Belgium, Rotary International, Harvard University, the College of William and Mary, the Virginia Military Institute, The American Church in Geneva, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Petersburg, the Appomattox Regional Governor's School, the Historic Petersburg Foundation, and the Petersburg Area Art League. He was a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and became its chairman. He was a member of the Chief Executives' Organization and served as a director on its board. He was awarded the Order of Leopold II by the King of Belgium. Funeral services will be held in London, England, at 11 a.m. Monday, May 16. Interment will be in Highgate Cemetery, London.