Charles "Chuck" Stewart Ryan

We are saddened to announce that Chuck passed away peacefully in his sleep, just a week before his 94th birthday, after leading a rich, unique, and meaningful life.

Chuck leaves his family with memories of a fix-anything improviser who was just as enthusiastic about dismantling as he was about repairing. He was a compassionate person who not only befriended those in need but also welcomed them to his dinner table. Anyone who knew Chuck has their own stories of his audacious approach to life.

A devoted and loving husband, his girls remember many notes left around the house for their mother that read, “I Love you, Jo.” Father’s table grace was fundamental at every meal and he consistently prompted his girls to appreciate their mother’s efforts.

A devoted father who was always home for dinner, he raised his daughters to be proud representatives of the Ryan family. He taught by example the values of tenacity, his guiding Christian principles of compassion and agency, and one always stays after meetings to help fold up the chairs. Sunday was set aside for church, but only after planting thousands of Veterans for Peace crosses on the beach. In his home were handmade rally posters and American flags promoting his political and justice causes, along with his submarine renovation project in the driveway. The water skis came out during family lake trips only after hours of slowly traversing Folsom Lake with his family, towing his homemade underwater detection devices in search of a submerged airplane he had purchased as salvage.

GP Chuck shared a special bond with his grandchildren, forged through the projects they shared together as children, and the support they provided to him as adults, creating lasting memories.

Charles was born on January 5, 1931, in Midland Texas to Quincy Belle (Davis) Ryan and Dr. William Emmett Ryan. He grew up with his older siblings, William (Bill) and Quincy Belle (Sis). They enjoyed small-town life in West Texas with their dogs and outdoor adventures, while their parents practiced medicine in the 10-bed hospital they ran. Their lives changed dramatically during World War II when Dr. Ryan enlisted in the Army, and the family left Midland. Charles was in boarding school at age 13 when his father was killed in France.

Charles attended high school at Castle Heights Military Academy in Tennessee and graduated from Baylor University in Texas. He proudly served in the Air Force, trained as a pilot, and flew the Fairchild C-119 “Flying Boxcar”, and later served in the Air Force Reserve.

Chuck was a man of diverse interests and talents. Throughout his varied career, he worked as an engineer on Titan rockets for the Apollo program and was a SCUBA and deep-sea commercial diver who managed an underwater contracting business. He owned successful businesses in Santa Barbara: Sandollar Press, a printer and publisher, and Cal Copy, a chain of coin-operated photocopiers in public libraries and offices throughout Southern California.

Chuck met Joan Arnold during summer school at CU Boulder. They married in 1951 in Dallas, Texas, and had two daughters. After being stationed at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California, they moved to Santa Barbara in 1968 where they joined the LDS Church. Chuck and Joan enjoyed 52 years of loving companionship until her untimely death from cancer.

Always active and eager for a challenge, Chuck ran the Los Angeles Marathon and swam across the Santa Barbara Channel. He enjoyed working out at the YMCA, where he met his wonderful second wife, Zelda Fields. They married in 2006 and shared ten wonderful years together while Chuck built a Glasair Sportsman 2+2 kit plane.

Chuck lived at Legacy Village Sugarhouse in Salt Lake City for five years. Upon his arrival, he dedicated himself to fostering community by creating a residential roster and providing name tags for everyone. He developed many friendships there and valued the kind, supportive care from the staff. He worked hard to maintain his cherished independence.

Chuck leaves behind his daughters: Lynn and Kathleen (Peter); his grandchildren: Meghan (Joe), Alex (Dani), Lucia, Hunter, and Rachel (Ian); along with his great-grandchildren: Edith, Owen, and Adeline. Additionally, he is survived by his cousin Susan, and his nephews and niece: Bill, Mike, Ryan, Ted, and Sara, as well as Zelda’s children: Enid (David), Daniel (Sherry), and Amy (David). He was predeceased by Joan, his parents, siblings Bill and Sis, his son-in-law Carl, Zelda, and Zelda’s son Robert (Karen).

Chuck was laid to rest next to Joan in Woodland Cemetery (Kamas, Utah) following a private family ceremony and military honors.

A memorial donation to Hospice can be made in Chuck’s honor.