RYAN, MICHAEL

Michael John Ryan died unexpectedly June 22, 2022, while vacationing in southern California with his wife and extended family.
Michael was born in Portland April 1, 1943 to Leo and Lee Ryan. He attended Jesuit High School and graduated from Portland State University. He served in the United States Navy as a corpsman, accompanying Marines into the fiercest fights in Vietnam. After returning home from Vietnam in the late 60’s, he married Susie Iverson, and they had one daughter, Lesley Ryan. Michael worked as a paramedic for Buck Ambulance and AMR.
Michael was an avid reader and curious about anything and everything. He enjoyed vigorous discussions about politics, law, the environment, social justice, and current events. He volunteered as a docent for the Oregon Maritime Museum, sharing his extensive knowledge about Oregon history and Portland. His love of running resulted in his completing over 20 marathons in his lifetime. He was devoted to the Oregon Hash House Harriers, a social/running group which became an extended family for him.
After retirement, he and his wife, Liz, enjoyed traveling throughout the world to attend running events sponsored by the Hash House Harriers. They visited Thailand, rode trains through Malaysia, hiked in Vietnam, toured Hong Kong and China. They enjoyed the beaches and people of Bali and Fiji. Just recently, they had returned from two weeks in Trinidad and Tobago. Michael loved hashing, running, adventuring, and welcomed every challenge that came his way. He always said he would “push through” to the end. Unfortunately for us, on June 22, while Michael and Liz were hiking in the desert, the unforgiving rays of the California desert sun stopped him in his tracks. Michael leaves behind his wife, Liz Ryan; daughters, Lesley Ryan (Greg), Alison Dent (Tony); sons, Rodney Alexander (Karen), Elliot Alexander; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service in his memory will be held beginning promptly at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Willamette National Cemetery. Instead of flowers, please donate to the Oregon Food Bank.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits