Robert Ryan Obituary

Robert La Marre Ryan SUMMERVILLE - Robert La Marre Ryan, 95, of Summerville, widower of Patricia R. Ryan, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2015 at Trident Medical Center. Bob was born December 18, 1919 in Bennington, VT, son of the late John C. Ryan and Julia La Marre Ryan. He graduated from Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven, VT and received a BA degree in History from Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, class of 1942. Upon graduating from Middlebury, Bob entered flight school in July 1942 at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL. He earned his wings in March 1943 and was assigned to the Marine Corps VMB-423 Bomber Squadron piloting B-25's. He flew combat missions in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas in 1944-45 and was awarded the Air Medal with two Gold Stars for meritorious achievements during these campaigns. At the end of the war, he transferred from active duty to the USMCR until he resigned his Captain's commission in 1957. Bob began his professional career with AT&T in various assignments in Buffalo and Albany, NY. Later he transferred to New York City to work on the Touch Tone Telephone project. Subsequently, he transferred to the New York Telephone Company managing pay phone operations and concluded his career as the Benefits Manager for the Southern District of New York. He retired in 1985. Bob resided in Chatham, New Jersey where he became a member of St. Patrick's Parish. He joined the Knights of Columbus and later served a term as the Grand Knight. Upon retiring from the New York Telephone Company in 1985, he relocated to Summerville, South Carolina in 1987 to enjoy the warmer weather and the culture of Charleston. He enjoyed gardening, reading, watching his adopted baseball team (Atlanta Braves), and traveling. Survivors include one son and one daughter: Christopher R. Ryan (Susan) of Fullerton, CA and Sharon P. Ryan of New York City, NY, and one brother, William A. Ryan of Queensbury, NY and his family. Family and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 9 o'clock at St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church, 11001 Dorchester Road, Summerville. Rite of Committal with Final Commendation will follow at Dorchester Memory Gardens, 11000 Dorchester Road, Summerville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church, Building Fund, 11001 Dorchester Road, Summerville, SC 29485. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesadyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 S. MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 (843) 873-4040. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston