David Rutledge Ryerson, Dds

David Rutledge Ryerson, DDS, age 76, passed away peacefully at Toledo Hospital on June 21, 2018. David, fondly known as Dr. Dave, was a lifelong Toledo resident, the oldest son of Marvel (Rutledge) and Russell Ryerson. A 1960 graduate of DeVilbiss High School, where he lettered in track, Dave was a lifelong participant in many sports, especially excelling in competitive swimming and distance running. He proudly earned the Boy Scout of America’s highest award of Eagle Scout. Dave graduated from Mount Union College located in Alliance, Ohio with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry and then earned a D.D.S from Case Western Reserve Dental School in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon graduation, Dave entered the US Navy and served in Vietnam as a Navy dental officer, with the rank of Navy Commander, Blue and Gold Officer. Dr. Ryerson continued to serve his country as a recruiter for the Naval Academy and as a Commander in the US Naval Reserve for 27 years. Dave and his dental partner, Todd Dunkle, DDS served the Sylvania community with a very successful dental practice for 42 years. They also operated a satellite dental office in Fayette, Ohio for almost 20 years. Dave had a big heart and much concern for his patients, and gave back to the community very generously. Dave was a member of Sylvania Rotary, former board member of D.O.V.E. Foundation, Devils Lake Yacht Club, The Toledo Club, Islamorada Moose Lodge and maintained professional memberships in American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association and the Toledo Dental Society. There wasn’t anything Dave couldn’t do and anything he couldn’t fix! He was skillful, pragmatic and a true problem solver in most situations. He was a great outdoors man—enjoying hunting, fishing, scuba diving, snowmobiling, snow skiing, and all types of snow and water sports. A true Navy man, Dave owned and enjoyed many boats in his lifetime, the most notorious being “The Painless Pull.” He spent his summers at his family cottage at Devil’s Lake, Michigan and spent winters admiring beautiful sunsets over the mangroves in Tavernier, Florida. Dave loved an adventure—his aquatic explorations took him all over the world. Being recently retired, he had more time to enjoy travel with his many good friends and family. Dave was blessed with a large and loving family…and his family always came first! He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather enjoying walks, boat rides, stories and, of course, card games with his clan. Lucky Dave had the good fortune to be married to two wonderful women in his lifetime, M.J. (Mary Jane Ayres deceased 2001) Ryerson and Sharon (Fox) Ryerson. Dave loved being “Grumpa” to Addy and Flynn Moser, Jack Ryerson, and Emma and Keyser Allen. Left to truly cherish his memory are his wife, Sharon; children Amy (Mikey) Moser, Brent Ryerson, Craig Ryerson all of Colorado; Amy (Jason) Allen of Toledo and Scott Toth of Florida; his five adorable grandchildren; brother Jim (Sally) Ryerson of Texas, special grandmother Irene Ayres, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife MJ Ryerson, and in-laws Jim Sr., Jim Jr., Valerie and Susan Ayres. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m., Thursday, June 28, 2018 in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) where a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 29, 2018. Those wishing to send a donation in memory of Dave can please send to The American Heart Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.