The Rev. Dr. Richard Lee Ryman, 76, of Cascade, Wis., passed away on Friday, May 16, 2014, at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, Wis.
He was born on Nov. 7, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Clyde Ryman and Beatrice (Mellott) Ryman. He married Carol Ann Miller on June 15, 1963, in Kewaskum, Wis.
He was pastor for 27 years at the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden, Ill., as well as director of Camp Carew, a Presbyterian summer camp on Little Grassy Lake in Southern Illinois.
In his role as camp director, he was a mentor and friend to hundreds of young people who spent at least one week every summer worshiping, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing and enjoying the outdoors.
He and his wife were a close and loving couple and one was rarely seen without the other. They loved taking long walks together, skiing, tennis, singing in the church choir and enjoying their summer cabin in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest. In his spare time, he liked woodworking and playing guitar. He was an Apple computer enthusiast and an avid reader. His family joked he had accumulated so many books he could use them to insulate the house, if he chose.
Richard was a lifelong learner. He had two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees and a doctor of ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
In the early 1970s, he was minister of Christian education at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea, Minn., and then later held the same position at the First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, Minn. He was a member of the founding board of Good Earth Village, a summer camp, retreat and conference center in Spring Valley, Minn.
He was elected a member of the standing committee on Christian education in 1971 for the 183rd United Presbyterian General Assembly. The assembly is the highest policy-making body of the church.
He and his family later moved to Southern Illinois where he was one of the longest-serving pastors at the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden. He retired in 2003.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Ryman, of Cascade, Wis.; mother, Beatrice Wielontek of Anna, Ill.; daughter and son-in-law Anne and Scott Cancelosi of Phoenix, Ariz., and granddaughter Maria Cancelosi; daughter Margaret Ryman of Auburn, Ala.; brother Michael and Peggy Ryman of Rockville, MD; several nieces: Suzanne, Danielle, Anjeanette and Nicole, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father.
Visitation was from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan, 1429 N. 5th St., Sheboygan, Wis. The Rev. Dr. Richard C. Manny officiated. Interment will be private.
Miller's Funeral Home in Kewaskum, Wis., was entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Carew, 303 Hidden Bay Lane, Makanda, Ill., 62958, or the church or charity of your choice.
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He was born on Nov. 7, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Clyde Ryman and Beatrice (Mellott) Ryman. He married Carol Ann Miller on June 15, 1963, in Kewaskum, Wis.
He was pastor for 27 years at the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden, Ill., as well as director of Camp Carew, a Presbyterian summer camp on Little Grassy Lake in Southern Illinois.
In his role as camp director, he was a mentor and friend to hundreds of young people who spent at least one week every summer worshiping, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing and enjoying the outdoors.
He and his wife were a close and loving couple and one was rarely seen without the other. They loved taking long walks together, skiing, tennis, singing in the church choir and enjoying their summer cabin in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest. In his spare time, he liked woodworking and playing guitar. He was an Apple computer enthusiast and an avid reader. His family joked he had accumulated so many books he could use them to insulate the house, if he chose.
Richard was a lifelong learner. He had two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees and a doctor of ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
In the early 1970s, he was minister of Christian education at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea, Minn., and then later held the same position at the First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, Minn. He was a member of the founding board of Good Earth Village, a summer camp, retreat and conference center in Spring Valley, Minn.
He was elected a member of the standing committee on Christian education in 1971 for the 183rd United Presbyterian General Assembly. The assembly is the highest policy-making body of the church.
He and his family later moved to Southern Illinois where he was one of the longest-serving pastors at the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden. He retired in 2003.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Ryman, of Cascade, Wis.; mother, Beatrice Wielontek of Anna, Ill.; daughter and son-in-law Anne and Scott Cancelosi of Phoenix, Ariz., and granddaughter Maria Cancelosi; daughter Margaret Ryman of Auburn, Ala.; brother Michael and Peggy Ryman of Rockville, MD; several nieces: Suzanne, Danielle, Anjeanette and Nicole, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father.
Visitation was from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan, 1429 N. 5th St., Sheboygan, Wis. The Rev. Dr. Richard C. Manny officiated. Interment will be private.
Miller's Funeral Home in Kewaskum, Wis., was entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Carew, 303 Hidden Bay Lane, Makanda, Ill., 62958, or the church or charity of your choice.