Sad news about another of Evelyn's famous brood...
From the Defiance Crescent News:
'SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Richard Michael "Dick" Ryan, 69, San Antonio, died Monday, May 12, 2008, at the home he shared with his brother, Roger.
He was born Feb. 15, 1939, the son of Leo J. "Kelly" and Evelyn (Lehman) Ryan, in Defiance, Ohio. It was Dick's bicycle accident in 1953 that prompted his mother to enter the Western Auto Contest and clinch the first in a series of remarkable contesting wins memorialized by his kid sister Tuff in her family memoir The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. Dick's own wins were no less remarkable. A tremendous all-around athlete, he excelled in basketball and football at Defiance High School and Defiance College. But it was as a big, hard-throwing, right-handed pitcher in baseball that he really made his mark. He threw smoke and could bring the heat. While pitching for the Defiance Merchants (a local semi-pro team) in August 1958 with scouts from various pro teams watching, he pitched five complete games and gave up a total of only two hits: that's three no-hitters and two one-hitters. When he was on, he was unhittable. He signed a pro contract with the Detroit Tigers in 1959 and pitched in the pro leagues until a shoulder injury unrelated to baseball eventually ended his promising career.
In the early 1960s, he served as an M.P. for the U.S. Army stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. He spent his post-military years in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, where he became a much befriended bartender, always ready to listen and share his thoughts. He was not averse to wagering on sporting events and had a love for American sports cars. One of his profound regrets when he moved to San Antonio for health reasons a few years back was leaving his L.A. classic car behind.
He took tremendous pleasure in participating in the making of the "Prize Winner" movie and seeing himself and his family portrayed on screen. He was not only a tireless promoter of the book, but also a living example of its message: that a winning spirit will triumph over poverty of circumstances.
Dick's competitive fire always burned bright, even as he faced his final opponent, cancer, and he took pride in his ability to win on his own terms. A profound sadness must be felt when a player, friend and brother of his caliber and strength passes.
He leaves his siblings: Lea Anne (Ryan) Metzger, Fred "Bub" Ryan; Roger Ryan; Barry Bruce Ryan; Michael Ryan; Barbara Ryan; Betsy Ryan; and David "Bongo" Ryan. His sister, Terry "Tuff" Ryan, and his parents preceded him in death'.