Obituary of Robert Francis Ryan, Sr.

Robert F. Ryan, Sr., 92 of Lynchburg, died Saturday, June 9, 2019. He was born April 16, 1927, in Mount Vernon, NY, the son of Charles and Louise Stolte Ryan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Griffin and his second wife, Dorothy Connelly and his grandson Robert Wilder Cure. Survivors include one son, Robert Ryan, Jr. and his wife Vicki; two daughters, Katherine Cure and her husband Dr. James Cure, Joanne Ryan; four grandchildren, Erica Bowles, Jill Crawford, Ryan Cure and Jessica Cure; two great-grandchildren, Abigail Crawford and Kaisley Cure; one sister, Patricia Tully and two brothers, Jerome Ryan and his wife Ann and Larry Ryan and his wife Connie.

Mr. Ryan was a graduate of the New York State Maritime College and studied at New York University. He was employed by Babcock and Wilcox for almost 40 years. While employed there he was the project engineer of the N.S. Savanah Program, the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and the Metropolitan Edison Nuclear Project. He repeatedly said he enjoyed going to work each and every day. He spent eight years at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, after its accident in 1979. He helped dismantle the damaged reactor rendering the facility safe. 

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory, Wiggington Rd. Chapel (434) 385-8900.

The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff at Heritage Green Assisted Living, especially his dear friend and physical therapist Lindsey Allen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.