Walter G. Ryba Jr. of 105 New Street, dean of
the School of Business and professor of business law at Fairfield
University, died on Thursday evening, Aug. 17, at Danbury
Hospital after being stricken ill at his home. He was 59.
Dr. Ryba grew up in Ridgefield, was president of the Class of
1959 at Ridgefield High School, and was married for nearly 40
years to his high school sweetheart, the former Geraldine
Pannozzo.
He had been business school dean since 1998 and had made many
changes in the school's operation. However, he continued to teach
at least one course a year to maintain close contact with the
students. "His door was always open to students and
faculty," said his wife. "As a result, he brought home
a lot of work. He used to stay up till 1 o'clock in the morning
doing work. But he loved it, he absolutely loved it. And he had
so many plans."
Dr. Ryba (pronounced Ree-ba) was born in Stamford on
April 13, 1941, a son of the late Walter G. and Mildred Hayes
Ryba. His family moved here when he was a boy, and he was active
in sports programs. Besides being class president at the high
school, Dr. Ryba was also co-captain of the baseball, football
and basketball teams.
He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1963, later attended
Trinity College in Hartford where he received a master's degree
in economics in 1971, and then graduated from the University of
Connecticut School of Law in 1975 with a doctor of law degree.
Dr. Ryba began teaching at Fairfield University in 1982. He
specialized in business law and regulation and strategic planning
for regulation and new businesses. His work focused on antitrust
regulated environments and international regulation, and his
research appeared in many professional journals.
In the past three years, Dr. Ryba oversaw major advances in
Fairfield's School of Business, including the school's final
approval of accreditation and its move to the former campus
Conference Center, which was completely renovated to accommodate
the school's expanding programs.
Under his leadership, the university added concentrations to the
MBA in e-business and health care management, introduced a
master's in management of technology -- offered jointly with the
School of Engineering -- and joined a consortium of Jesuit
universities offering an MBA program at Peking University in
China. He opened sites for MBA courses in Greenwich and Stamford
and this summer had announced jointly with America's Community
Bankers the addition of the "Executive MBA in Community
Banking," the first of its kind in the nation.
"He was a pleasure to work with," said Dr. Orin
Grossman, academic vice president of the university. "Walt
Ryba was honest, straightforward and always used good judgment.
His contributions to Fairfield University and particularly the
School of Business will have a lasting impact. "
Dr. Ryba was a member of the American and Connecticut Bar
Associations, the Bar Association Section on Antitrust, and the
American Economics Association.
For 23 years, he had lived in Lyme, where he also maintained a
small legal practice in addition to teaching. He was also active
in the Lyme community, and served on the local Zoning Board of
Appeals.
When he became acting dean in 1997 and dean a year later, the
commute between Fairfield and Lyme, added to the long hours,
prompted in 1998 the Rybas to return to their old hometown.
"It was a very long commute -- sometimes it would take him
three hours going home," Mrs. Ryba said.
For relaxation, he enjoy traveling and vacationing with family,
and was a rock and roll music aficionado who particularly enjoyed
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fleetwood Mac, and Buddy Holly (he
saw productions of "Buddy" in London and on several
stages in the United States). "He also loved anything by
Kurt Weill," said Geraldine Ryba. The couple's own song was
Weill's "September Song."
Dr. Ryba was also an ardent supporter of both Fairfield and
Dartmouth football -- he had played for Dartmouth for a year
before an injury ended his career.
Others interests included architecture, World War II history and
geography.
Besides his wife, Dr. Ryba is survived by a brother, Michael Ryba
of Old Greenwich, and his wife Rosemary; his mother-in-law, Mary
Pannozzo of Ridgefield; a brother in law, Vincent Pannozzo of
Ridgefield and his wife, Lucretia; two nephews, Michael Ryba and
Vincent John Pannozzo, as well as an aunt and several cousins.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Chapel
of Fairfield University in early September.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Fairfield University
School of Business, Fairfield, CT 06430; Dartmouth College,
Hanover, NH 03755; Tiger Hollow-2000, P.O. Box 372, or to the
Ridgefield Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah Street,
both of Ridgefield, CT 06877; or to a charity of one's choice.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.