Ryan D. An

Ryan D. An, age 50. Beloved husband of Grace. Loving son of Lynn Devereaux. Dearest brother of Shannon Owens, Caila Smith and Shye Smith. Dear uncle of Shea Owens, Bo Owens and Camden Fortier. Dearest cousin and friend.

Ryan’s life defies the conventions of a mainstream obituary, what with his commitment to the pursuit of life on his terms. Those close to him understood that he had a method for everything—and that he would forever defend it, refine it, and savor it. The names of schools where Ryan spent time are irrelevant to his contributions to the world as an engineer, musician, composer, amateur entomologist, and wordsmith. From head to toe, Ryan was a self-taught man. His family, colleagues, musician friends, and neighbors were all fortunate to learn—unwittingly yet eternally—from the School of Ryan. This way of life rejects ideology and mediocrity, embraces education and creativity, seeks expression in every possible way, and protects the most vulnerable and forgotten among us.

Unbeknownst to him, Ryan had woven what would be many different lives for others into a single life story of a singular man. He finished high school thanks to libraries. At a young age, he served in the United States Army for three years during which he was stationed in Germany, and then gave almost 25 years as a medical imaging engineer to Invacare, Philips, and General Electric in northeast Ohio. Among his many talents were those he demonstrated as an instructor for numerous engineers around the world who appreciated his rigor, intelligence, and engagement. As an engineer, he developed deep relationships with technicians and physicians in hospitals throughout the Greater Cleveland area, and he was proud to be sent to Holland and Belgium to complete missions of which very few in the world were capable.

Ryan’s most important endeavors, however, were musical. His music emerged from a lightning bolt combination of brain, heart, and soul. It expressed a search for meaning, fury in the process, and lyrical love for the people and the ideas he cherished. His bands included Gravy, Lucy, Drawing Fire, and most recently Load from Cold. He was also dedicated to various animal rescues, especially Herps Alive, which focuses on reptiles and amphibians.

Fifty years is not a short life for someone who lived as Ryan did. We honor a lifetime of service, creativity, knowledge, care, and love. We will do so for the rest of our lives, transformed as we are by Ryan.

Family will receive friends Sunday, May 21, 2023, 4-6pm at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home 23040 Center Ridge Rd. Westlake Ohio 44145. A Service will be held at 5:00 pm.

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