Tim Ryan
W. Timothy Ryan passed away on February 12, 2024. He was 86. Tim will be remembered for his love of large family gatherings, passion for protecting the environment, sense of humor, and his long career at Dodge & Cox.
Tim attended UC Berkeley, where he majored in Business Administration and was a member of Sigma Phi fraternity, of which he was president his senior year. After graduation in 1959, Tim spent two years as an officer in the Army, including in counterintelligence in Washington, D.C. Tim met his wife, Annette (Ramelli) Ryan, at Cal. They married in 1960, raised their family in Lafayette, CA, and eventually moved to Belvedere, CA. They were married for 63 years.
Tim earned an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and in 1962 started work at IBM as a systems engineer. Dodge & Cox, a San Francisco investment firm, was one of Tim’s first clients. He soon joined Dodge & Cox, where he became a partner and worked for 36 years until his retirement. Tim’s responsibilities grew with the firm, including managing non-investment operations and finances, and serving on its board of directors.
Tim was born October 13, 1937, in San Francisco to William and Valerie (Mozé) Ryan. He grew up in the Inner Sunset and attended Lowell High School, where he was a member of the track team. Tim was a lifelong Giants, 49ers, and Warriors fan.
A pivotal time in Tim’s life was a summer during college when he worked for the U.S. Forest Service on a crew constructing firelines with shovels in the Shasta forest. This experience inspired Tim’s love for backpacking and camping. A favorite Ryan family tradition was their annual summer vacation in Camp Sherman, Oregon. Tim led the family on trail hikes and kept meticulous notes of the best fishing spots along the Metolius River. He and Annette traveled the world, trekking and cycling. Tim took great pleasure in his physical fitness, including running with his loyal golden retriever, playing tennis, and coaching youth basketball and softball teams. He was introduced to handball at the Pentagon gym during his Army days and continued to play at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
Tim and Annette volunteered their time with various organizations, largely focused on improving the lives of young people and preserving the environment. Together they co-chaired the Acalanes High School Parents Club, were on the UC Berkeley Library Board, and supported the Haas School of Business. Tim served on the board of the Sierra Club Foundation.
In addition to his wife Annette, Tim is survived by his son, Matthew Ryan (Susan) of Wellesley, MA; daughters Kelley Warner (Eric) of San Anselmo, CA; Julianne Tantum (John) of Belvedere, CA; and Katherine Jazbec (Bill) of San Jose, CA; and his ten grandchildren: Emily and Lauren Ryan; Annie, Patrick and Jack Warner; Lucy, Henry and Charles Tantum; and Andrew and Ashley Jazbec. Tim is also survived by his sister, Alice (Ryan) Abbott of San Francisco; sister-in-law, Adele (Ramelli) Richardson; and many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to Tim’s doctors and caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, By the Bay Health (Hospice), or any environmental organization.