George Frisbie Ryan's Obituary
After a valiant fight against cancer, George Frisbie Ryan died on Jan. 25, 2004 in Tacoma. His was a rare blend of a brilliant mind and a gentle heart and he will be greatly missed.Born July 28, 1921 in Yakima, Washington to James Percy & Nina Frisbie Ryan, he attended schools in Parker and Yakima and enjoyed a wonderful boyhood on the family fruit ranch and sagebrush hills northwest of Wapato, WA. College at Washington State College in Pullman was interrupted by WW II, during which he served in the Army. In 1947, he married Beverly Riffe (Covington, Kentucky) in Yakima. He then went back to finish his degree at WSC and ultimately received his Doctorate in Horticulture at UCLA where he also taught until 1961. His son, Bruce Douglas Ryan, was born in Los Angeles in 1950. From 1961 to 1966, George was a research scientist for the University of Florida Citrus Experiment Station in Lake Alfred, FL. Accompanied by his wife and son, he returned to his family and native state in 1967 at which time he accepted a position with the WSU Experiment Station in Puyallup and did research for them until he retired in 1983.He always enjoyed hiking in the mountains, identifying wild flowers and plants, photography and family history. One of his special interests was doing volunteer work with rhododendrons, both at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Gardens in Federal Way and at Point Defiance.Surviving him are his wife, Beverly, his brother, Jim and sister-in-law, Betty, niece Sally Ryan Hoy (Douglas), nephews, Roger Ryan (Dee), Steve Granholm (Holly) and Dean Granholm (Sharon) and their families, along with many cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Margaret Ryan Granholm and his son, Bruce. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, 11AM at Manor Care in Tacoma. Graveside services will be held on Monday, February 9, 2004, 11 AM at Terrace Heights Memorial Cemetery in Yakima. Remembrances may be made to the Rhododendron Species Foundation, P0 Box 3798, Federal Way, WA 98063 or to your favorite charity.
What’s your fondest memory of George?
What’s a lesson you learned from George?
Share a story where George's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with George you’ll never forget.
How did George make you smile?