MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 2010
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of John M. Ryan
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WHEREAS, John M. Ryan, former Chief of Maintenance and Operations of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago passed from this life in Salamanca, Spain on October 22, 2010; and
WHEREAS, John was born on July 11, 1933 to Tommie and Julia Ryan in Chicago, Illinois and raised with his siblings, twin Thomas ( Mary Pat), the late Jeremiah (Anne), Edward (Mary), the late Sheila (Paul) Wisniewski, Marie (Bob) Auer, and Deacon Robert (Peggy) Ryan; and
WHEREAS, John is survived by his loving wife Pepita, his son John (Beth) M. Ryan, his daughters Julie (Ed) Cook, Jean (Joseph Jr.,) Solon, and Jennifer Streckert, his grandchildren Maggie, Grace, Alannah, John, Joseph III, and Claire, and many loving family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ryan is a distinguished graduate of St. Patrick High School and the Illinois Institute of Technology, having received his PE license more than a year before being awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering; and
WHEREAS, prior to completing his Engineering Degree, John served in the U.S. Navy, where he dutifully served his country as an intelligence specialist from 1953 through 1955, continuing his service in the Naval Reserves until he was honorably discharged on May 31, 1961; and
WHEREAS, John M. Ryan began his career with the District in 1960 as a Mechanical Engineer II and swiftly rose through the ranks, serving as an ME III, IV, V, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Supervising Engineer, Engineer of Treatment Plant Operations I, Assistant Chief Engineer and finally to Chief of Maintenance and Operations; and
WHEREAS, whether in a classroom, running the operations of a water reclamation plant or enjoying his retirement, John was a warm and friendly person with the natural ability to lead and a constant desire to learn; and
WHEREAS, while John was formally trained as an engineer, he engaged in diverse and varied hobbies throughout his retirement including studies of astronomy, history, the Spanish language and music; and
WHEREAS, being the consummate student, John found himself back in the classroom long after his career path had been chosen, where he earned a Masters Degree in Spanish from the University of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, not one to be wasteful, John used his fluency in Spanish to convince his wife to marry him, to walk the El Camino de Santiago in Galbraith Spain with his twin brother Tom and to explore the back roads of western Spain by motorcycle; and
WHEREAS, John was also a Civil War buff, so much so that he could give documentary producer Ken Burns a run for his money discussing and identifying various battles and scenes from the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, John was also a self-taught astronomer, having set up an observatory in his back yard, meeting yearly with other astronomy enthusiasts and even publishing three papers in scientific journals, a rare feat for any astronomer not formally trained; and
WHEREAS, John, a true Renaissance man, also had a love of music, his instrument being the bagpipes, a talent that was taught to him at an early age by his father, founder of the Shannon Rovers, and which led to a lengthy career with the Shannon Rovers and as an individual competing across the nation; and
WHEREAS, John M. Ryan pursued his passions for history, science and music which he shared freely with his loving family and friends; and
WHEREAS, John M. Ryan’s family and friends will miss his outgoing, positive outlook on life, his humor, quick wit, creativity, spontaneity, and infectious energy; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, extend our sympathy and condolences to the family of John M. Ryan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of John M. Ryan.
Dated: November 18, 2010
Approved: TERRENCE J. O’BRIEN, President; KATHLEEN THERESE MEANY, Vice-President; GLORIA ALITTO MAJEWSKI, Chairman, Committee on Finance; FRANK AVILA; PATRICIA HORTON; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; Mariyana T. Spyropoulos; DEBRA SHORE Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Frederick M. Feldman, General Counsel