Obituary of Richard Ryan

Richard N. Ryan of Morgantown passed away on November 5, 2012, in Monongalia General Hospital after a brief battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends at the time. Dick was born on April 4, 1934 in Kempton, Maryland to Les and Arlie Ryan who preceded him in death. Dick was a 1952graduate of Morgantown High School and holds a bachelors and masters degree from West Virginia University. He taught at University High School in Morgantown from 1959 to 1969 where he also coached football, wrestling and baseball. After teaching he went on to a career at Consolidated Coal Company where he held positions in Human Resources Management and later in Safety Education. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the Korean conflict until the time of his honorable discharge from the United States Army. He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus. Until the time of his illness, he was actively involved with the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Philomena "Mena" Ryan, his daughters Mary Beth Jeffers of Parkersburg, Donna Kay Kitzmiller and husband Jim of Morgantown, his sons Scott Ryan of Columbus, Ohio, Michael Ryan of Morgantown, Mark Ryan and his wife Paula of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Aaron Ryan of Martinsburg, West Virginia. He was a loving grandfather to his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Also surviving Dick are his brothers, Bruce and his wife Norma of Birmingham, Alabama, Rusty and his wife Jo Anne of Denton, NC, Bill and his wife Carolyn of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Bob and his wife Ryta, of Hawaii. Along with his parents, Les and Arlie, he was preceded in death by his first wife Joanne Focarelli Ryan, his daughter Lynette Marie Hare.He will be missed by many family members and friends who knew him as "Coach".Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, from 2-4 and 6-8p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 with a Scriptural Wake Service at 8p.m. to conclude visitation. On Friday, Nov. 9 Dick will be moved to St. John University Parish, 1481 University Ave., Morgantown, where additional visitation will be from 10a.m. until the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11a.m. with Father Fred Byrne, OSB, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Lawnwood Cemetery, Morgantown, where full military honors will be accorded at graveside.