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Richard “Rick” Ryan Jr.

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Richard “Rick” Ryan Jr. Veteran

Birth
North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA
Death
27 Apr 2021 (aged 71)
North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA
Burial
Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA Add to Map
Plot
SECTION X SITE 21
Memorial ID
View Source
U.S. Veteran
Rick Ryan, Jr., of North Platte, passed away at home on April 27, 2021, at the age of 71.
Rick was born July 7, 1949, and raised by his father, Dick, and grandparents, Harold and Ellen Ryan in North Platte and went on to graduate from St. Patrick's High School. In 1967 Rick enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an infantryman with the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division. During his service in Vietnam, Rick received a Purple Heart.
Following his discharge in '69, Rick returned home and went to work for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office then Union Pacific Railroad. In 1974 Rick began his career with law enforcement when he joined the North Platte Police Department. He worked until retiring in 2009 with the rank of Lieutenant and he enjoyed being a policeman.
Rick married Mary Medrano in 1971. They had four children and later divorced. In May 1999 Rick wed Cynthia Wonch and they made their home together in North Platte.
Rick was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and was a 4th Degree in Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and even rode to New York in 1998. He also enjoyed riding his horse (when they lived out south of town), and having coffee with his buddies. Rick loved his family, especially his grandchildren, and his service dog, Yuma. Kids always had a special place in his heart and to help those in need, he started the Santa Cop program in 1985 and this legacy continues today.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dick, and grandparents, Harold and Ellen Ryan; brothers, Tim and Bill Ryan; daughter-in-law, Michelle Ryan; and grandsons, Myles Ryan Hill and Alexander Weir.
Rick leaves behind his wife, Cynthia, of North Platte; sons, Richard 'Mike' III Ryan, of North Platte, and Tim and Anthony Ryan, of Kearney; daughters, Shawna Ryan (significant other, Matthew Northrup), of Grand Island, Amy Adams, of Lincoln, Heidi (Corby) Weir, of North Platte and Trish (Ben) Wonch Kroeze, of Lincoln; brothers, Mike (Terese) Ryan, of Omaha and Vernon (Cynthia) Ryan, of Ft. Collins, CO; sister, Mary Ellen (Dan) Fogell, of Omaha; sisters-in-law, Pamela Ryan, of Santa Rosa, CA, and Jody (Larry) Gipe, of North Platte; grandchildren, Shaleena, Christeena, Gabriela, Wichoni, Stacy, Kylie, Brandon, Stazia, Draven, Claire, Noah, Jude, Simone, Aaron and Alexander; great-grandchildren, Briela, Alex, Eliana, Juniper and Nova; as well as many other family.
Services will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Rosary will be at 8:30 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of the arrangements.
U.S. Veteran
Rick Ryan, Jr., of North Platte, passed away at home on April 27, 2021, at the age of 71.
Rick was born July 7, 1949, and raised by his father, Dick, and grandparents, Harold and Ellen Ryan in North Platte and went on to graduate from St. Patrick's High School. In 1967 Rick enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an infantryman with the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division. During his service in Vietnam, Rick received a Purple Heart.
Following his discharge in '69, Rick returned home and went to work for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office then Union Pacific Railroad. In 1974 Rick began his career with law enforcement when he joined the North Platte Police Department. He worked until retiring in 2009 with the rank of Lieutenant and he enjoyed being a policeman.
Rick married Mary Medrano in 1971. They had four children and later divorced. In May 1999 Rick wed Cynthia Wonch and they made their home together in North Platte.
Rick was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and was a 4th Degree in Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and even rode to New York in 1998. He also enjoyed riding his horse (when they lived out south of town), and having coffee with his buddies. Rick loved his family, especially his grandchildren, and his service dog, Yuma. Kids always had a special place in his heart and to help those in need, he started the Santa Cop program in 1985 and this legacy continues today.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dick, and grandparents, Harold and Ellen Ryan; brothers, Tim and Bill Ryan; daughter-in-law, Michelle Ryan; and grandsons, Myles Ryan Hill and Alexander Weir.
Rick leaves behind his wife, Cynthia, of North Platte; sons, Richard 'Mike' III Ryan, of North Platte, and Tim and Anthony Ryan, of Kearney; daughters, Shawna Ryan (significant other, Matthew Northrup), of Grand Island, Amy Adams, of Lincoln, Heidi (Corby) Weir, of North Platte and Trish (Ben) Wonch Kroeze, of Lincoln; brothers, Mike (Terese) Ryan, of Omaha and Vernon (Cynthia) Ryan, of Ft. Collins, CO; sister, Mary Ellen (Dan) Fogell, of Omaha; sisters-in-law, Pamela Ryan, of Santa Rosa, CA, and Jody (Larry) Gipe, of North Platte; grandchildren, Shaleena, Christeena, Gabriela, Wichoni, Stacy, Kylie, Brandon, Stazia, Draven, Claire, Noah, Jude, Simone, Aaron and Alexander; great-grandchildren, Briela, Alex, Eliana, Juniper and Nova; as well as many other family.
Services will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Rosary will be at 8:30 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of the arrangements.

Inscription

PFC \
US ARMY
VIETNAM
PURPLE HEART
LOVING HUSBAND
DAD AND PAPA



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  • Maintained by: buffalotable
  • Originally Created by: GLG
  • Added: Apr 28, 2021
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/226147368/richard-ryan: accessed ), memorial page for Richard “Rick” Ryan Jr. (7 Jul 1949–27 Apr 2021), Find a Grave Memorial ID 226147368, citing Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA; Maintained by buffalotable (contributor 48813362).