Bob Stone Ryan

On Tuesday morning May 7^th, 2019, Bob Ryan passed away at his home, in Lewisburg, PA. He was 90 years old. Bob was born August 20, 1928.

Bob (he refused to be called Robert), a lawyer, came to Eagles Mere in 1972 with his wife and three sons. In the next half century his contribution to the community was nearly immeasurable.

At first he was a “summer” person with a family and full time employment in Philadelphia.

Bob was raised in New Jersey, graduated from Princeton in 1950, and went to law school at Harvard. The Korean War interrupted school and, about to be drafted he joined the Army and was sent to Officers Candidate School, emerging as a 2^nd Lieutenant in artillery. He was then sent to Korea. His unit was the 213^th artillery battalion. 

When the war ended he returned to Harvard, got his degree, and was hired by a prestigious Philadelphia law firm.

At the same time he met Priscilla Travers and six months later they were married. They had three sons, John, David, and Arthur.

It was clear that three small boys needed things to do and Eagles Mere filled the bill. Eagles Mere became the Ryan’s second home.

Despite his full time job and a growing family Bob wanted to do more. It was easy because it turned out there was much to be done.

Priscilla Ryan was an accomplished musician, a violinist. When she learned that Eagles Mere, in the years before World War II, had numerous hotels and Inns that provided music for their patrons, and that much of it was classical music, she saw an opportunity. Meeting with Deborah Reeder, a cellist, who occasionally played with the Philadelphia Orchestra, they decided it was time (despite the fact that many of the hotels had closed) for Eagles Mere to have music again. With financial help from Joe Wilkinson and other members of the community, they brought back, in an abbreviated form, “music in the mountains”. The concerts were held on lawns or occasionally, in private homes. Bob helped them get started and he helped even more when “The Friends of The Arts” was formed.

Problem: They needed a place to play where audiences could be comfortable and also “pay”. Musicians did not come free.

Once again Bob helped and he was instrumental in getting the Eagles Mere Fire Company to help build the DeWire Center. But, as always, Bob was behind the scene. The DeWire Center and the “Friends” function today because of Bob’s help with getting the financing.

Along the way Bob had been tapped to help in other areas. He was a member of the country club, he was elected to the Board of the “Lake Association” and later, for two years, as its President. He was also voted in as a member of the Borough Council and served for two terms.

He and Priscilla belonged to the Eagles Mere Community Church and Bob helped them organize their financial records. Later, when the Eagles Mere Foundation was formed, Bob was asked to join the Board, which he did.

Bob was also Pennsylvania’s expert on Zoning. He was the author of “Pennsylvania Zoning Law and Practice” which is used throughout the State. In addition, he taught the subject to many law school students.

Bill Feese, the President of the Borough Council said “Bob Ryan was involved in most, if not all, of the Community organizations that endeavored to make Eagle Mere the great place that it is today. Bob was involved in the activities of almost every public service organization. More importantly to those who worked with him, he did it all with skill, patience, kindness and with a great sense of humor”.

Bob had no pretensions, indeed no “swank”. Simply put, he was a man for all times.

A Celebration of Life Service for Robert S. & Priscilla T. Ryan will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at  2:00 P.M. at the Eagles Mere Community Church, 909 Laporte Avenue, Eagles Mere, PA with the Rev. John H. Clark, officiating.  Interment will be in the Eagles Mere Cemetery.

          There will be a reception following the graveside service at the Eagles Mere Country Club, 1 Country Club Road, Eagles Mere, PA.         

          The Family of Bob & Priscilla Ryan, request that Memorial Contributions in their memory can be sent to the Eagles Mere Friends of the Arts, PO Box 166, Eagles Mere, PA 17731

          Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA.

          To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com