Thomas Francis Ryan

Tom was our deeply loved and admired husband, Dad, Grandpa, brother, brother in-law, uncle, and son. Living on to cherish his memory are his wife of 38 years, Pat (Pilatowicz) Ryan; daughter Julie (Chuck) Curtis; son Andrew (Missy) Ryan; grandchildren Grayson Curtis, Zachary Curtis, Jacob Ryan, Lindsey Ryan, and Samantha Ryan; siblings Jim (Anne) Ryan, Patty (Don) Bartolo, and Mary (Greg) Powell; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and Jesse (our beloved dog). Tom was predeceased by his parents, Laura (mother of Julie and Andy), and dogs Spenser and Kinsey.

Thomas Francis Ryan was born in Oak Park, Illinois, the first child of Mary Elizabeth (Dewell) Ryan and Ambrose Edward Ryan. The family moved many times, and Tom learned to make friends through participation in sports. He spoke often of baseball and family dinners during the summers the family spent in Clinton, Iowa, with his Dewell grandparents. He loved spending time with his Grandpa and wrote many stories about their adventures for his Life Stories sessions through the Prime Time Seniors Center in East Lansing. Tom graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1957 and excelled in baseball and football. His ability to perform under pressure was demonstrated in a 1957 newspaper clipping from the scrapbook his dad compiled. Tom “collected three hits in four trips” to win the City prep batting crown from his competitor who went hitless that game.

Dr. Thomas F. Ryan was an innovative and influential educator. His BA (1961), MA (1967), and PhD (1969) were all earned at Michigan State University. This fall, he reunited with some Alpha Tau Omega brothers at a breakfast. Tom was a junior high social studies teacher/coach in Grosse Pointe, then followed a colleague’s suggestion that he enter a PhD program for educators at MSU. He began a 25+ year career in higher education that included serving as a professor at Georgia State University, department chair at Western Michigan University, and Dean of the College of Education at Illinois State University. Under his leadership, the WMU teacher preparation program was redesigned to better prepare teachers, and his team at ISU successfully procured technology grants that earned a 1992 award for Best Integration of Technology into a College of Education.

Tom also excelled at retirement! He enjoyed 2000 piece jigsaw puzzles, became a master gardener, learned to make stained glass, took painting classes, played golf, completed crossword puzzles in ink, participated in Zoom Chapter Chats with a reading group, was a fabulous house husband while Pat continued to work, and cared for beloved dogs Kinsey and Spenser. Tom was a Supreme Court volunteer docent. He loved reading cowboy poetry, western fiction, mysteries, biographies, political analyses, classics, Shel Silverstein, and Calvin and Hobbes. He never tired of watching Robin Hood. Tom wrote poetry, and loved using language in clever, and humorous ways as he wrote or told stories.

Travel was a special joy for Tom and Pat. While waiting for their home to be built, they drove out west with the dogs to see monuments and mountains. They traveled to Singapore and Santiago, Chile, multiple times to visit Andy and his family as they lived internationally. Other favorite trips were an Alaskan cruise, many US National Parks, Italy, and Ireland.

Tom and Pat also shared a strong interest in watching sports in person or televised wherever they lived. Of course MSU was number one, but Tom also recently loved watching the Detroit Tigers. Julie’s family moved to Haslett, and it became a great joy to watch the grandsons play elementary, middle school, and high school sports and sing in choirs. Although Grandpa Tom wasn’t able to watch Grayson play football at CMU, he will surely be there in spirit in the coming years.

As Tom’s health challenges increased during the past months, he found a prayer that comforted him as he said it daily: This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

Tom died peacefully at Sparrow Hospital on January 16 with wife, Pat, at his side. They were brought together 40 years ago during an accidental meeting at the mailbox of their apartment complex, and eventually learned that they were meant for each other. Rest in peace, Tom. You were a good man, and God was well-pleased with you.

In lieu of flowers, please think of Tom when you read a beautifully descriptive passage in a book, when you view awesome mountains, when the Spartans win, when you can laugh with toddlers, and when you spend precious time with your children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, February 11, 2023 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Road, East Lansing, with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Ryan family.