Edward Ryan, M.D.

Edward Anthony Ryan, M.D.

Edward Anthony Ryan, M.D., 84, of Duluth, MN passed away from mesothelioma on September 4, 2017 in Solvay Hospice House. He was born on January 3, 1933 to Herrick and Louise Ryan in Camden, NJ. Ed grew up with his "Irish twin" brother Richard Ryan. The family moved to Framingham, MA, the outskirts of Chicago, and then Fond Du Lac, WI. The two had an affinity for sharing their home with an assortment of found animals, even an owl who stood watch over the mantle. He attended Notre Dame with his older brother and transferred to Marquette University in Milwaukee for premed where he and his future wife Jane Chisholm started dating. Ed and Jane married on October 20, 1956 and have raised five children, Kathleen, Mary, Tricia, Mike, and Patrick. After pre-med, Ed transferred to Marquette's School of Medicine where he graduated as Class Valedictorian in 1957. A year later, he served with the Navy as a General Medical Officer in Pocatello, Idaho. His residency was at the Mayo Clinic and he and Jane decided to settle in Duluth, MN at the Duluth Clinic where they met lifelong friends-many in the medical profession. As a cardiologist, Ed was an innovator in his field. Some of his accomplishments include setting up a coronary care unit (CCU) in St. Mary's hospital, serving as President of the Minnesota Heart Association, and being a board member of the Duluth Clinic and the College of St. Scholastica. Outside of the profession that he loved, Ed also loved gardening with Jane and sailing Lake Superior's Apostle Islands. They enjoyed ski trips to Colorado and Montana and family vacations to the Muhrhaus Cabin on Caribou Lake. The famous camping trips in Northern Minnesota included the memorable paddles in the "tippy canoe" and adventurous "fishing" expeditions with family to Hall's Pond. Ed planted Ginko and fir trees that dot the woods near his home in Duluth and his home away from home after retirement at Long Lake, WI. There he golfed with Jane and friends. His workshop was always filled with projects-varnished pine benches, bright yellow painted bird feeders, and building bat houses for that lake. From foxglove in the garden to fishing boats in Ireland, Ed shared his love of photography with his children that they all still enjoy today. He was an avid runner and completed several Grandma's half marathons. His love for music-particularly jazz-filled the house with the music of Nat King Cole, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Diana Krall, and Paul Simon. Ed, or "Poppa" to his grandchildren, was kind, generous and close to his eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Each grandchild surely looked forward to visits with Poppa and those conversations infused with humor and humility on walks through the Rose Garden in Duluth or along the Lake Walk. They will be forever taking on his challenge of building that elusive squirrel-proof bird feeder that he could never quite master. He was, above all, a kind and giving soul, was well respected, remembered, and loved among family, friends and colleagues. Ed is survived by his wife, Jane and his children Kathleen, Mary, Tricia, Mike, and Patrick and their spouses and children, and brother Richard Ryan and family.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 1 PM Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. 4th. St.

Memorials may be directed to the CHUM, St. Scholastica, and the Duluth Clinic.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 218-727-3555.