Michael Ryan

Dates

December 18, 1931 - November 22, 2020

Obituary

Michael Ryan, 88, of Mitchell, SD, died November 22, 2020 at Edgewood Memory Care in Mitchell. Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Michael D. Ryan was born December 18, 1931, to Michael and Alma (Quade) Ryan in Sioux Falls, SD. He was raised in Sioux Falls and attended public schools there where he was a member of the debate team at Washington High. He was a representative to South Dakota Boys State in the summer of 1948 and received the outstanding citizen award. Michael enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, and spent three years in Germany as a weapons mechanic working on F-86 Sabre jets. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1955 he enrolled at Augustana College wherein 1957 he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and History with highest honors. He continued his academic studies at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, earning Bachelor of Divinity (1962) and Doctor of Philosophy (1967) degrees. In 1969 Michael joined the faculty at Drew as an Associate Professor of Theology and in 1997 he retired as a Professor and Associate Dean. He then relocated to Mitchell with his son Todd Ryan, who predeceased him in 2015.

Survivors include his special friend, Ruth Creasey; sons, Philip Ryan and Timothy Ryan; daughter-in-law, Cindi Ryan; and grandchildren, Katherine and Liam Ryan.

Service

Location
Graveside Service at Graceland Cemetery

Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery