To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Alan Ryle

Before I begin I would like to thank Lynn for asking me to speak today. It is an honor and privilege to do so. May God grant me the words He would have spoken at this time. And may each of us find comfort in the scripture and music and liturgy that Al chose for this service.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

We have come together today to remember and give thanks to God for the gift of Alan Ryle. We honor him by being here. Each of us present today has their own Al memories and we could be together a long time and not come to an end of our tales! It is my hope that the reception will be spent sharing those wonderful stories with each other.
           
I will tell you only one now and it really is not my story but rather, Scott’s story. I heard him tell it at Nathan and Courtney’s wedding when he toasted the couple. Scott said that before Nate introduced his then girlfriend to his parents for the first time, Scott warned Courtney about his dad. He told her to watch out—that his dad would certainly kiss her, and it would be a big juicy kiss on the mouth! He also told her that she shouldn’t worry about this at all; it was just his dad’s way. He gave the same kind of kisses as his mother had. He would not be singling her out at all. This is just how his dad treated everyone!

Al never met a stranger and his heart was as big as he. He seemed to be able to see the best in everyone and everything. He loved life and especially felt gratitude for the gift of life he had been granted during the last 14 years since his stroke.
           
Al enjoyed reading, music, and perhaps, most of all, sports. He looked forward to football season, whether it was Centennial, the Illini, or the Arizona Cardinals. One of is greatest joys was watching his son, Scott’s teams play. He enjoyed watching all ages play the game and would give his positive suggestions when asked. You may have heard him from time to time on WDWS radio and noted that his comments were never a criticism, but rather an encouragement. That made him rather special in this town!
           
n addition to our memories and our gratitude, we are here at this time for another reason. And that is to experience the grounding and the hope that Al found in his life by being a Christian.
St. Francis, whose day we celebrated this week, is often quoted as having said, “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” You might have noted that I did not thank Lynn for being the preacher today, but rather for being the speaker. Al Ryle is our preacher today. He lived out the gospel regularly, day in and day out. It wasn’t something special he put on just for Sundays. Al’s life was his sermon.
           
Alan took his baptismal covenant seriously and sought to model his life on those promises. In particular I will mention two of these statements. Those who are from a liturgical tradition will recognize them. The celebrant asks, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” And the second, “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?” The response to both questions is, “I will, with God’s help.”
           
Alan’s work was to serve others, especially those with developmental disabilities. He sought to make it possible for those he served to live with dignity and respect. His focus was never that he was better or above others. Rather that each human being is part of God’s creation and as such are worthy of the same treatment as he. He sought to provide what was necessary for those he served to live with as much independence as possible and always to be treated with love. If there were occasions that he became angry, it was almost always in response to someone being harmed or hurt in some fashion by others.
           
Other than the church, his favorite place to give of himself was to the TIMES center where he saw those who sought to improve their lives get the tools they needed to make that change. Alan respected the work of both the people giving as well as those receiving the help. He knew that in supporting and doing outreach, he gained at least as much from the recipients as they gained from him. He respected their dignity and was able to see Christ in their faces as he hoped they would see Christ in him. Alan demonstrated the exact opposite of “benefactor mentality.” His help was personal and it was always one friend helping another.
           
Alan lived those baptism promises of loving others as himself and respecting the dignity of every human, particularly through his work but also in day to day encounters. Who else could have the barista at the local coffee shop as well as the Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh praying for him and Al wouldn’t really note the difference. What he would have commented on is that two people from two different parts of the country were raising his name to God and wasn’t that wonderful!
           
When I began, I listed a few things that Al loved. I left out what was most important to him. I saved it for last, mostly because I wasn’t sure I could say it without breaking down. But give me a moment. Al loved his family. He loved you all as much as any man ever has. Each of you was so special to him, Scott, Nathan you know that of course but also Stephanie and Courtney, you were his daughters. He was so proud of you all and never let a time go by that he did not express this to everyone he knew! And the boys, Cameron, Zachary and Nolan, your papa treasured and delighted in you! And Lynn, well, Lynn, Alan knew how very fortunate he was in having you as his wife, his Rose. And I think that most who know you, would agree with him. He also knew how much each of you loved him. You, his family are an example to us all. You gave Al his strength and much of his joy.   Hold onto each other at this time of grief. He would expect that!

Yes, while we mourn our loss today, we also rejoice for the gift of knowing this man, Alan Ryle. And, we give thanks for what his life teaches us about being a Christian witness. Most especially we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord in which Alan believed so deeply. He knew that today his life has been changed, not ended.

​If you close your eyes a moment perhaps you might even imagine Al meeting everyone in heaven with one of those special kisses, or perhaps a resounding high-five, and his dancing with joy as he greets his Lord, and savior, Jesus Christ.
 
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
 
Thanks be to God for His glorious gospel and for His loving witness, Alan Ryle. Amen. 

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