Michael Burch Ryan

Michael Burch Ryan, age 82, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on January 2, 2020, in Alameda, California.

Mike began his journey in Coshocton, Ohio, in 1937. After spending his early years in Ohio and Florida with his parents Edward and Lillian and his three brothers Edward Jr., Patrick, and Timothy, the family moved across the country and settled in Los Angeles, California in 1944. As a youngster in Los Angeles, Mike and his twin brother Pat were put to work by their mother as child actors and models, at least until they decided they would rather not. He appeared in several movies including A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and The Woman in White and on the cover of Parents magazine. He also was a paperboy for the LA Times for seven years. He graduated from Chaminade High School in Los Angeles in 1955. While in high school, Mike was a lifeguard at Zuma Beach and at Los Angeles public pools, played on the football team as a linebacker, and met his first wife Judy. Together, they raised three children, John, Robert, and James.

After high school, Mike worked his way through college and obtained a bachelor's degree in history from Cal State LA. He wanted to become a teacher and began pursuing a master's degree. After teaching a philosophy class at the college level, he decided it was not the type of teaching he wanted to pursue. However, his love of teaching, history, literature, philosophy, and poetry never stopped.

Mike entered the business world as an insurance underwriter before moving into sales. He managed the Los Angeles office of an insurance company for many years before transitioning into finance, with an emphasis in financial planning. He started his business RAM Financial in Pasadena, California and met his wife Susana. Together, they raised two children, Catherine and Christopher. In the last phase of his life, he transitioned his business to Haussmann Financial and moved with his wife to Alameda.

Mike operated his business in Pasadena for over thirty years. Being a financial planner and investment advisor was his favorite job. Every morning before going into the office, he would stop for breakfast at the Pie N Burger, where he earned the affectionate nickname of Smiley. He was a founding member of Business Network International (BNI). He was active in his church and philanthropic groups throughout the years. One group that held a special place in his heart was the Pacific Friends School in Temple City, California, where he served on the Pacific Ackworth Friends School Concerns Committee and Foundation for over thirty years. He also was a member of the finance committee of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, where he cherished attending annual retreats.

Mike enjoyed reading and traveling, and he took the family on road trips to various parts of the country and on numerous trips to Mexico. He hiked to the top of Mount Whitney with the Boy Scouts. In his later years, he enjoyed trips with Susana to several places that had always fascinated him, including China, Turkey, and Greece.

Throughout his journey, Mike was always moving forward and faced life with a positive attitude and a never faltering sense of humor. The glass was always half full. He was a mentor to many. He was always available to provide guidance and wisdom to those around him and never lost his desire to learn and grow. He was loved and will be missed but will always be in our hearts. He is now at peace in God's everlasting love.

Mike was preceded in death by his father Edward, his mother Lillian, and his three brothers Edward Jr., Patrick, and Timothy. He is survived by his wife Susana, his five children John, Robert (Janet), James (Nancy), Catherine, and Christopher, his twelve grandchildren, and his seven great grandchildren.

A Vigil was held on Friday, January 17, 2020 at the Little Church of the Flowers, Forest Lawn, Glendale, California. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Church of the Incarnation, Glendale, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pacific Ackworth Friends School Foundation and/or the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center.