ALTON - Robert E. Ryan, a World War II veteran and longtime attorney from Alton, died early Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the age of 102. Ryan died at 1:54 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Luke’s Surrey Place in Chesterfield, Mo.
Born Sept. 23, 1923, in Alton, Ryan was the son of Martin G. and Mary Therese (Flynn) Ryan. He served as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. In May 1944, his B-17 bomber was shot down near Normandy, and he was captured as a prisoner of war in Germany. Ryan spent time in multiple German prison camps until his liberation on April 29, 1945.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Ryan is survived by two daughters, Susan Martin of St. Louis and Kathleen Lang of Atlanta, and three grandchildren, Anne Martin, Tess Martin, and Leslie Lang. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Jane, a son, Matthew Edward Ryan, one brother, John Ryan, and four sisters.
In a 2022 interview with Riverbender.com, Ryan recounted his experience of being shot down and captured.
“I knew we were in trouble,” he said. “Because I was the navigator, I parachuted out of the plane first. It took a while to land. I thought to myself, ‘How am I going to get back to Illinois?’” Upon landing, Ryan was immediately confronted by a German soldier aiming a rifle at him, but he was not shot. He said he provided only his name, rank, and serial number, as required by the Geneva Convention.
Ryan described enduring hunger and uncertainty during his captivity.
“Some German officer announced the invasion in one of the camps had started, and it said it was a perfect English slaughter. I thought, ‘That is terrible, and I thought I would be there 10 years,’” he recalled. After liberation, he remembered the moment when “the Nazi flag went down and the American flag went up” and the joy among prisoners.
After the war, Ryan returned to Alton, earned his law degree, and began practicing law in 1953. He was a lifelong member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Alton.
On Sept. 3, 1955, he married Mary Jane Yenny, who died in 2013. Ryan continued practicing law into his late 90s and maintained an office in the Riverbender Building in Alton.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, with Father Jeff Holtman officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church or for Masses.
