Paul F Ryan

Paul F Ryan of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully at home on September 27, 2026, surrounded by family.

He was born on January 25, 1940, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Mary (Cassidy) and Patrick Ryan, he grew up in Everett Massachusetts. He attended and graduated from Everett High School and apprenticed as a print setter. He enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard and thereafter the Air Force.

While stationed overseas in Germany with the Air Force, he met the love of his life Rike on a weekend trip to Paris. They were married in 1963 in Starnberg, Germany and began their life together on Bitburg Air Base where they welcomed their son Eric. In 1965 Paul was reassigned to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi Mississippi where they welcomed their second son Allen. At Keesler, Paul was a Technical Air instructor and taught electronics. During his time in the Air Force, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Longevity Service award. In 1968 he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.

After his service in the Air Force and drawing on his knowledge of electronics, he became a field service technician for Texas Instruments and relocated the family to Dallas Texas. In 1971 Paul and Rike welcomed their daughter Patricia into the world.

His field service role gave him the opportunity to take on expat assignments and live in England for 4 years and Germany for 3 years with his family. During this time the family traveled all over Europe and Paul and Rike were able to take amazing trips to Kenya, Egypt and Israel.

Being in Europe and closer in proximity to Rike’s family and friends, there were many opportunities for celebrations, parties, holidays and festivities. Paul always enjoyed a good beer, and Germany was the right place for it!

After the time in Europe, Texas Instruments assigned Paul to work at Pease Air Force base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and he was able to move the family to Maine for 3 years. During this time, the family continued to travel and see many different places and things.

In 1987 the family moved back to Dallas and in 1989 Paul retired from Raytheon / Texas Instruments. Once retired, Paul and Rike bought a pop-up camper and towed it all over the United States with their Suburban. They visited many national parks, historic sites, native American lands and even went all the way from Texas to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, one of Paul's favorite trips.

Paul had some health challenges later in life but always faced them head on and with positivity - he still had plans. The family joked that he was like a Weeble Wobble and would wobble but not fall down!

Paul is survived by his wife Rike Ryan; his three children Eric Ryan and his wife Angela and their sons, Mathias and Alexander of Germany, Allen Ryan and his wife Kerstin and their daughter Tania and her husband Mark and their son Elias, Kevin and daughter Elena of Germany; Tricia Nodler and her husband John and their son Jacob of Round Rock, Texas; and his sister Kathy Giberti of Beverly Massachusetts; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest sister Terry Waite, brother James “Jimmy” Ryan, and brother Richard “Dicky” Ryan.

A memorial service will be held at a future time to be announced.

In Lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Paul’s honor, may donate to The Headstrong Project for Veteran Mental Health at: https://theheadstrongproject.org/