Obituary - Don Ryerson

Don Ryerson passed away on May 19, 2015, at the age of 91.

At Don's request no services are being planned. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.

Don was born in Havre, Montana, on Sept. 19, 1923, to Emmett and Grace Ryerson. He was raised on a ranch southeast of Big Sandy with his mother and stepfather, H.O. Newby. He married Virginia Lux on April 15, 1944, and served in the military starting March 31, 1943, and was honorably discharged May 15, 1946.

He was educated in the Havre schools and received his degree in animal industry and agriculture education from Montana State College in 1949. He was an instructor in vocational agriculture at Beaverhead County High School in Dillon from 1949 to 1954. He returned to Montana State College in 1954 and left with a Master of Science in agriculture in 1955. He entered Texas A&M University and received a Doctorate in range management in 1965.

Don began his teaching career at Montana State College in 1957. He was responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in range ecology and improvement. He was characterized "as an unforgettable teacher and person, as any of the thousands of students who wear his brand still attest." A man of boundless energy and enthusiasm, Don became a driving force in the lives of his students. He was awarded the MSU College of Agriculture Outstanding Teacher Award each year from 1975 to 1979. His reach extended further into Montana when he established the Agriculture Range Lenders School in 1964, a school established especially for agriculture bankers to better serve Montana ranchers. Among his many notable contributions to range education were his film and television educational materials. His video education efforts were unique and advanced for that time. When range problems were found in Montana, Don would arrive to tackle the problem. His efforts to help the Montana agricultural industry and to protect Montana's largest natural resource earned Don the 1980 Range Man of the Year award from the Montana Range Council.

He and Virginia retired from Montana State University on July 1, 1980. They spent many happy and wonderful years traveling across the United States pulling their fifth-wheel trailer. After years of travel, Don and Virginia moved to Great Falls where he passed away.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia of Great Falls; son, Doug (Lynn) Ryerson of Great Falls; daughter, Donna (Steve) Czesak of East Wenatchee, Washington; grandchildren, Michael Czesak, Christy Perret, Christopher Czesak, JM Ryerson, David Czesak and Patrick Ryerson; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Don requests any memorial donations be sent to Montana State University, for the Payne, Ryerson, Taylor Academic Scholarship, C/O College of Agriculture, PO Box 172860, Bozeman, MT 59717.

Condolences for the family may be posted online at http://www.schniderfuneralhome.com.