Royal M. Ryser

Royal Max Ryser

 Royal M. Ryser died on November 6, 2025. He was born on a farm near Agenda, KS, on September 26, 1934, to Frak and Martha (Thompson) Ryser, the youngest of one brother and 17 half siblings. He attended a one room country school for 3 years, then moved to Effingham, KS to finish grade and high school.

In 1943, age 8, he met Regina Happel. They graduated from high school together in 1952.

They married in 1953 and made a life together, starting in Naples where he was stationed.

Royal enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean war and served in the Seabees as an equipment operator in Cuba and Naples, Italy.  Royal graduated from Kansas State U in 1959 with a civil engineering degree. Royal graduated from Kansas State U in 1959 with a civil engineering degree. After college, work took them to several places around the country. They created a family of 3 daughters, Joy, Ann, and Karen.  Their daughters became the center of their lives and their most significant accomplishment, giving Royal and Regina 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Most of his career was with the US Forest Service in CA, AZ and CO and he was a Registered Professional Engineer. Besides engineering, Royal enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and old cars. He was a life-long Christian and served in many capacities in several United Methodist Churches.  At one of his many addresses, he was President of the Campfire Girls Council, a position that gave him great satisfaction as a supporter of girls in the program.

Royal had great pride in serving in the US Nav and working for the US Forest Service. His Navy service provided the gateway to a university engineering degree and the Forest Service work offered a way to protect and utilize the natural resources of the National Forests. He served on the Angeles NF, Pasadena CA; Sequoia NF, Porterville, CA; Lassen NF, Susanville, CA; Cleveland NF, San Diego, CA; Prescott NF, Prescott, AZ and the Region 2 headquarters, Lakewood, CO.

He was preceded in death by Regina, the love of his life, and granddaughter, Katie. He is survived by daughters Joy (Leroy) Medina, Ann (Frank) Kolonics, and Karen (Bill) Flynn; grandchildren Molly (Jeff) O’Campo, Sam Medina, Max Kolonics, and Will Flynn; great-grandchildren Luca and Mila O’Campo.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Loveland, CO on 12/06/2025 at 2pm.

Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Loveland, or the place of your choice. No flowers please.