John F. Ryan, Ph.D (1908-1982)
John F. Ryan, formerly a patent agent and research chemist with the Kendall Company, which manufactured hospital supplies here, died in the Southwood Community Hospital, Norfolk after a long illness. He was 74.
Mr. Ryan has worked for the Kendall Company for 45 years before retiring, when he continued to work for the company as a consultant.
Mr. Ryan was well-known in the community for his work with Walpole Footlighters. He functioned at different times as an actor, director, business manager, president, set designer, and set maker. He acted in a total of 65 plays.
From 1958-1961, he was involved in another volunteer venture - this time with the Massachusetts Correctional Institute at Walpole, where he directed a variety show and plays such as "Mr. Roberts," "My Three Angels," and "Room Service."
The inmates, with the help of Mr. Ryan, staged and performed these plays within the prison walls. Theater critics of the time hailed the performances and commended the stage direction. Some performances helped raise money for The Jimmy Fund.
This past year, Mr. Ryan directed "Janus" for the Walpole Footlighters, but illness kept him from attending the play when it opened.
Mr. Ryan was born in Boston and graduated from Beverly High School, Beverly. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard in 1929 and pursued graduate studies at Brown University in Providence R.I. where he received his Masters and Doctorate.
An avid reader, Mr. Ryan served as a trustee of the Walpole Public Library, an elected position.
He leaves his wife, Phyllis E. (Howard) Ryan of Walpole; a daughter, Patricia Pytte of South Salem, NY; a son, John H. Ryan of McLean, VA; a sister, Mary Shields of Buzzards Bay; and six grandchildren.
Mr. Ryan has worked for the Kendall Company for 45 years before retiring, when he continued to work for the company as a consultant.
Mr. Ryan was well-known in the community for his work with Walpole Footlighters. He functioned at different times as an actor, director, business manager, president, set designer, and set maker. He acted in a total of 65 plays.
From 1958-1961, he was involved in another volunteer venture - this time with the Massachusetts Correctional Institute at Walpole, where he directed a variety show and plays such as "Mr. Roberts," "My Three Angels," and "Room Service."
The inmates, with the help of Mr. Ryan, staged and performed these plays within the prison walls. Theater critics of the time hailed the performances and commended the stage direction. Some performances helped raise money for The Jimmy Fund.
This past year, Mr. Ryan directed "Janus" for the Walpole Footlighters, but illness kept him from attending the play when it opened.
Mr. Ryan was born in Boston and graduated from Beverly High School, Beverly. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard in 1929 and pursued graduate studies at Brown University in Providence R.I. where he received his Masters and Doctorate.
An avid reader, Mr. Ryan served as a trustee of the Walpole Public Library, an elected position.
He leaves his wife, Phyllis E. (Howard) Ryan of Walpole; a daughter, Patricia Pytte of South Salem, NY; a son, John H. Ryan of McLean, VA; a sister, Mary Shields of Buzzards Bay; and six grandchildren.