Ronald J. Ryel

beloved husband, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on October 20th due to complications from pancreatic cancer.Ron was born in West Branch, Michigan in 1955. As a youth he lived on state reserves in central Michigan where his father worked as a wildlife biologist. Ron was birding both by ear and sight from the age of six and was never as comfortable indoors as he was outside.Ron graduated from Michigan State University, moved to Logan, UT in 1977, earned his Master's degree at Utah State University and worked in the Cache valley as an environmental consultant. He earned a PhD at the University of Wurzburg. In 2002, Ron enthusiastically embraced his greatest professional challenge and joined the faculty of the college of Natural Resources at Utah State University in the Department of Wildland Resources. His delight in this position was all encompassing. It gave him the opportunity to pursue his love of research on regional ecology and to instill in students his absolute conviction that decisions based on scientific method should guide ecological management of the lands of the Intermountain West.Many people never find their true passion in life. Ron was an individual blessed with many. He was an avid (some would say rabid) birder and sports fan, an enthusiastic political liberal, a runner, biker, skier, hiker, fisherman, river rafter, and of course, a consummate gear-head. Ron had a special gift for interacting with people from all walks of life and was valued by an astonishing array of individuals.A memorial service will take place in Logan UT on February 14, 2016 at the Logan Country Club and the entire cast of characters who called Ron friend is invited to join his family in remembering the life of this caring, compassionate and truly remarkable man.Anyone wishing to pay tribute to Ron is encouraged to do so by donating to the scholarship fund that he founded at USU in 2014. Information about the mission of this scholarship and how to donate can be found by clicking here. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.