James F. Ryan's Obituary
James F. Ryan (Jim), beloved husband of Lari, died on March 3 of complications of 17 years of Parkinson's Disease.
Jim was born in 1928 to Frank and Olive Ryan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the eldest of six children. He grew up in Merrill, Wisconsin where his father was a dentist.
He attended Marquette University on a Naval ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1950 with a degree in mathematics. The Korean Conflict broke out shortly after Jim finished college and he was immediately sent to the Korean theater instead of the Mediterranean, where he had been originally assigned. His service on the USS Philip was very important to him.
While stationed at Pearl Harbor, Jim met and married Betty Aspinwall and they moved to Olympia, Washington shortly after he was honorably discharged in 1953. Their four children were born there.
Jim was initially employed in the Tax Commissioner’s office from 1953-1960, where he was a budget researcher and chief analyst. In 1965 he moved to the University of Washington, only to be recalled shortly thereafter by Governor Dan Evans as the emergency interim budget director. He again returned to the UW, where he retired in 1985 as Vice President for Business and Finance, and Manager of the University’s Metropolitan Tract Properties in downtown Seattle.
Mr. Ryan was a member of the WSECU Board of Directors from 1977-1979 and again from 1986-1996, where for a time he served as Chairman of the Board.
In 1972, he was a founding member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s Board of Directors, where he served for 20 years. Jim was Treasurer of the Board from 1985-1992. He also served on the University Bookstore Board of Directors. He was also appointed to the Washington State Investment board in 1988 until his resignation in 1993.
Widowed in 1986, he met and married Lari Bowman of Vashon Island, and together they traveled the world. In retirement, Jim proved to be an accomplished woodworker and carpenter and always seemed to have a project going on.
Mr. Ryan is survived by Lari, children Frank, Tim (Cathy), Sue Bruns (Greg), Cindy Peterson (Don), step-children Lari Jane Rumpp (Stephen) and Trip Taylor. Additionally, Jim is survived by four grandchildren, Sam and Hayley Peterson, Savanna and Tiana Ryan, and two step-grandchildren, Ian and Isabel Rumpp. Jim is also survived by his sisters Rose Akey, Mary Ann Kretlow, Ruth Schoetz and brother Joe Ryan. His other brother, Patrick, predeceased him.
Jim’s indomitable spirit, integrity and kindness will never be forgotten.
Remembrances may be considered for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and/or the American Parkinson Research Center. As per Jim's wishes, a private funeral mass was held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Tacoma, on March 13th.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?