Robert Ryan

Dr. Ryan was predeceased by his parents, Anna Mulvihill Ryan and John J. Ryan, Sr., his brother John (Jack) J. Ryan, Jr., and his sister Ann C. Ryan. He was a life-long member of St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, DC. He served on the altar for ten years and later was a member of the Parish Council. Surviving are his friend and companion of 55 years, Stuart B. Bedell, his sister-in-law Fay C. Ryan, and many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Ryan was born in Washington, DC. and was a graduate of St. John’s College High School. and Georgetown University, both the University’s undergraduate college and its School of Medicine. He also served as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Medical School for many years.

Dr. Ryan, in the early 1970’s, founded, in conjunction with the Arlington County Board, the first Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program for Arlington County, VA. It was the first such program on the East Coast. He was also a pioneer in pre-hospital coronary care and received from the Arlington County Medical Society the Welburn Award for making a major contribution to the health care of the Arlington community. He practiced Internal Medicine in Arlington for 40 years and also was elected by his fellow private practitioners as Chief of the Medical Staff at Virginia Hospital Center, formerly Arlington Hospital. Throughout his career, he was dedicated to the care of his patients and served as an expert mentor to medical students and to beginning medical practitioners.

Upon retiring in 2005, he spent time between his homes in the Washington, DC area and Aventura, Florida, where he enjoyed family and friends, playing golf, and, in South Florida, the beaches and cultural diversity of the area.

The visitation will be held from 3:30 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC. with the interment to follow at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Hospital Center Foundation or to an organization of one’s choice.