Few men have contributed as much to Chicago's industrial and civic life as Edward L. Ryerson, who died yesterday after a fruitful 84 years. Indeed, it would be hard to find any aspect of the city's life in which Mr. Ryerson did not take a leading part. His industrial career as president and chairman of the board of the Inland Steel Company and as a director of seven other leading corporations would have constituted a full life for most men. But for Mr. Ryerson, it was only an appetizer. He was deeply interested in charity and social problems, and spent a cumulative total of more than 43 years as chairman or president of such organizations as the Illinois Public Aid Commission, the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago, the Community Fund and the Hospital Planning Council of Metropolitan Chicago. He was a leader in education and the arts, with a cumulative total of at least another 48 years as chairman or president of such institutions as the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, the Chicago Orchestral Association, the Chicago Education Television Association and the executive committee of the Chicago Community Trust. He was a leader also in his church and in affairs of the Republican Party. The world sorely needs men like Edward Ryerson. His death is a great loss not only to the members of his family, but to the whole city.
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) 3 Aug 1971, page 10

Edward L. Ryerson [age 84], husband of Nora Butler Ryerson; father of Nora R. Ranney, Edward L. Ryerson Jr. and Lt. Morton B. Ryerson; grandfather of George A. Ranney Jr., Edward R. Ranney, David M. Ranney, Nancy R. Ranney, Susan Ryerson DeLissovoy, Frances S. Ryerson, Nora Ryerson and Edward M. Ryerson. Memorial services Wednesday 2:30 p.m., St. James Episcopal Cathedral, 65 E. Huron St. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the University of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra or Chicago Educational Television Assn.
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) 4 Aug 1971, page 59