Robert Martin Ryan

June 29, 1930 - September 1, 2012

Albany- Robert Martin Ryan (Professor Emeritus), 82, died Saturday, September 1, 2012 at St. Peter’s Hospital with his family at his bedside. Born in Albany, he was the son of the late John W. and Helen Martin Ryan. Professor Ryan was a US Navy Korean War Veteran. He was a 1957 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and then went on to the University of Rochester where he worked with the US Atomic Energy Commission to study Radiological health at Brookhaven National Labs. In 1960, Professor Ryan and a team of nuclear scientists installed the world’s first portable, and working nuclear reactor at Camp Century, Greenland Ice Cap. In 1961, during the height of the Cold War, he was a scientific observer at Christmas Island in the South Pacific. It was the largest nuclear weapons testing program ever conducted by the United States government. In many ways Bob had a front seat to not just American historical events…but global historical events… In 1962, he became an Adjunct Associate Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Director, of the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety. Out of all of his accomplishments it was teaching he loved most. He was not only an educator but an advisor and friend to his students. He was the dear husband of Margaret Kositzka Ryan; beloved uncle of Rosemary M. Moore (Josh), Michael Miller, Kathy Dunn, Kevin Ryan, Cathy Wilkins-Carmody, Kille Crepin (Tom)and Patty McBride(Rob); great uncle of Alexandra Damiano, Michael Joseph Miller, Drew Miller, Beth Ikeda and Peter Ikeda, ElizaAnn Wlikins-Carmody, Kiera Crepin and Carly Crepin. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Memorial visitation hours Tuesday, September 4, 2012 4:00 to 7:00 pm in Lasak & Gigliotti Funeral Home, now located at 208 North Allen Street, Albany. Interment will be held privately at Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Robert M. Ryan can contribute to the Robert M. Ryan Scholarship Fund for Student Support. You can send check or money order to: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Gifts Processing Center, PO Box 3164, Boston, Ma 02241-3164. To leave the family a special message on their guest book, obtain directions, or view other helpful services, please visit www.LGFuneralHome.com