Glen L. Ryland

You have likely never heard of our dad, Glen Ryland, but you should have. He was devoted to his wife and our mom, Corky—her passing in 2013 left a hole in his heart that would never heal. They were married and in love for sixty-six years. Glen was also an amazing father to his two daughters, Sally and Gail, and son, Stephen. Despite an exceptional, pressure-packed career, he always had time for his kids. Glen’s desire to be a good family man did not come from his father, but instead from a promise he made to himself to be a better husband, a better father—a better man. Those who did know Glen will tell you he succeeded on all accounts, as family, church and country were always the center of his universe. He passed at age ninety-nine, and while there’s no doubt the ‘Greatest Generation’ has lost a true everyday hero, we will carry dad’s love and integrity in our hearts forever.

Glen Leroy Ryland was born in Stockton, California to Hawkesbury and Lola (Stevens) Ryland. He was the youngest of three boys. Glen ultimately was raised on the Woodward family ranch in Scotts Valley, Lake County, California with his mother, stepfather Claude Woodward and his brothers Steve and Merle Ryland. He attended local one-room schoolhouses through elementary grades and Upper Lake High School for three years. He graduated from St. Helena High School in the Napa Valley in 1941. He attended Sacramento Junior College Technical Institute of Aeronautics while waiting to turn eighteen and be eligible to enter the military.

Always fascinated with aviation, Glen became an Aviation Cadet in 1942 and then a commissioned officer in the Army Air Corps, predominating flying fighters (especially P-38s) through World War II. At the end of the war, Glen was thrilled to win a spot in the Army Air Force’s first jet squadron. Thankfully, his good judgement would prevail and he elected to leave the service (continuing as a Reserve Officer) to complete his education at the University of California at Berkeley. There Glen not only studied both engineering and business, but he also met Corinne (Corky) Zurick, a Decorative Arts major, and they were married on June 29, 1947. Incredibly, while on their honeymoon in Carmel, Glen and Corky decided they would someday retire to the Monterey Peninsula. Of course, back then they returned to CAL, completed their degrees, graduating in January 1949.

Having won a national award for a business paper he wrote at CAL, Glen was rewarded with a position in the Purchasing Department of the C&H Sugar Company in San Francisco. He enjoyed working there until being recalled to the U.S. Air Force for the Korean War in 1952. He served in the United States and then in Europe, primarily as a Procurement Officer on an important NATO aviation program until December 1955—always a proud veteran, he achieved his highest rank as a Lieutenant Colonel. Glen returned to C&H briefly, but then joined Aerojet General Corporation, an aerospace company in Sacramento and Southern California. In early 1971 his expertise in Aerojet contract negotiations, program management and finance eventually led to the post of Chief Financial Officer for Frontier Airlines in Denver, Colorado. Glen was soon promoted to Chief Operating Officer, then President and CEO where he remained until 1985. He retired, created two startup companies and served on several corporate and charitable Boards. While in Denver Glen was very involved in Boy Scouts and served for several years as President or Chairman of the Denver Area Council BSA, as well as a Director on the North Central Scout Regional Executive Board and a member of the National Council. Such devotion to Scouting continued throughout his retirement, as he was on the Western Region and the Monterey Bay Area Council Executive Boards.

Fulfilling their longtime dream, Glen and Corky purchased a home in Pebble Beach and moved permanently to the Monterey Peninsula in 1987. They were active in their community, both founding members of the Church in the Forest, Pebble Beach and each served on the church board. As members of the Beach & Tennis Club, they also were avid tennis players and Glen relished his longstanding practice of runs and hikes in the forest. In 2000, Glen and Corky moved into the Carmel Valley Manor, where they continued to meet new friends and be quite involved in Manor activities. In addition, Glen remained especially active in educational and charitable organizations such as the University of California Berkeley Foundation Board of Trustees, Church of the Forest committees, Carmel Valley Manor Residents Council, and as a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Officers Association of America and the P-38 National Association. He also enjoyed many years of camaraderie and friendship in the International Club of Carmel and The Group.

Glen is survived by his daughters Sally Ryland Whittaker and Gail Ryland; his granddaughters, Jennifer Ryland-Winter and Cary Whittaker; and his great grandchildren Mercedies, Madalyn, Marlena, and Xander Ryland-Winter. Glen was predeceased by his dear mother Lola Woodward, beloved wife, Corky Ryland, his older brothers Merle and Steve Ryland, his grandson Reed Whittaker, his son-in-law, Brad Whittaker, and his son Stephen Ryland.

Friends and family are invited to attend Glen’s interment service on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at El Carmelo Cemetery, 68 Asilomar Avenue, Pacific Grove. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to the University of California Berkeley Foundation, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 401, Berkeley, CA 94704 or SPCA Monterey County, P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942.