Ryan had been diagnosed three weeks ago with cancer of the esophagus, according to his wife, Adele Reingold.
Ryan, whose real name was Irwin Reingold, was born and raised in New Jersey. At 18, he joined the U.S. Army and served in World War II before attending the University of Cincinnati. He was one of the first 10 students to graduate from the university’s broadcasting department in 1948.
Ryan served as a weather forecaster, travel reporter and staff announcer from 1954 to until his retirement in 1992. He continued to fill in for WHIO weather forecasts until 2001.
Ryan also co-hosted the annual Children’s Miracle Network Telethon with Cheryl McHenry until 2008.
“He was very versatile, a great conversationalist who could always ad-lib whenever he needed to fill time on the air,” McHenry said. “He had a great sense of humor.”
McHenry said that Ryan had traveled extensively around the world and loved his role as a co-host of the annual telethon, as well as a host of local parades and events.
He was inducted to the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2005.
Ryan is survived by his wife, Adele, who he married in 1947; three children; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
“He was very devoted to his family, and he loved his job,” McHenry said. “He was always curious and interested in everything.”
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Beth Abraham Chapel, 202 W. Schantz Ave., Dayton, followed by the burial.