Obituary of Lee Frank Ryan

Lee Frank Ryan, age 83, passed away on May 30, 2023 after a long and well-lived life. Born September 18, 1939 in Oak Park, Illinois, he was the son of Frank Edward Ryan and Helen Mayer Ryan. He graduated from Lawrence College in 1962 with a B.A. in German Literature and in 1976 earned an M.A. in Music from San Diego State University, which served as the basis for his early career as a teacher of classical guitar. Lee served in the Army from 1962 to 1968 where he met his wife, Joann Pohl Ryan, who was working for the Defense Department at the time. Both served as German language specialists in Berlin, Germany in the 1960s. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1968, Lee moved to Madrid, Spain where he studied classical guitar with Andres Segovia and his students. Among his many talents, he wrote a popular guitar textbook entitled "The Natural Classical Guitar," which is still used by classical guitar students around the world. In the process of writing his book, he learned word processing on the computer, which launched a new career for him as a computer consultant and software educator, a career which he continued to practice throughout the rest of his life. Lee loved everything Scottish, especially Scottish music and dancing. He could always be seen wearing a brightly-colored tartan shirt and scarf. Lee and his wife Joann taught a Scottish Country Dancing group at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Boone from 1999 to early 2020 and attended many Scottish balls and workshops during that time. From 2017 through fall of 2022, they also taught a class in Scottish Country Dancing at Appalachian State University, where they loved introducing their many students to the joy of Scottish dancing. Lee also developed a great appreciation for Appalachian music with its roots in Celtic music and learned to play the bagpipes after moving to Boone in 1999. He is survived by his wife Joann with whom he shared almost 52 years of marriage and his sister, Ann Ryan Faust, of Rochester, New York. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Arrangements for a private memorial celebration will be made at a later date. If desired, a donation in Lee's memory can be made to Watauga County Habitat for Humanity or Hospitality House Boone. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.