Eva Ryan
Nov 13, 1929 -
Aug 18, 2022
Eva Pauline Ryan passed away on Aug. 18, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. She was born in Shaktoolik, Alaska, on Nov. 13, 1929, to Paul and May Tetpon Ivanoff. Eva's early years were spent at Merkoryuk, Eek, and Golovin, where she completed grade school. Eva's high school years were at White Mountain, Wrangell, and Mt. Edgecumbe, graduating in 1948.
Eva met Wilfred Ryan at White Mountain in 1946. On Aug. 15, 1949, Wilfred and Eva were married in Unalakleet by her grandfather, Commissioner Stephan Ivanoff. The couple moved to Kaltag in 1950, where Eva was hired as a BIA teacher. After a year on the Yukon River, they returned to Unalakleet. Eva worked at the post office and Wilfred began his flying career. Together, they founded Unalakleet Air Taxi in 1953. Eventually, Eva returned to teaching at the BIA Elementary School. Their family and Unalakleet Air Taxi grew, and Eva became not only a busy mother, but also a hostess to many guests and clients of the air taxi. In March 1977, Wilfred Sr. passed away after a short battle with cancer. Eva continued guiding their air taxi, which later became Ryan Air. In 1980, Eva retired from a long and memorable career with BIA. Eva qualified for a commercial herring permit and captained her own crew during the 80s. From 1988-90, she worked for the Headstart Program in Unalakleet as a cook. Eva was hired by Neeser Construction as their camp cook in 1988. This employment took her to Neeser job sites in Gambell, Stebbins, Wales, and Teller. In 1996, Eva retired for good.
Eva taught her children and grandchildren how to hunt and fish. She lived a true subsistence lifestyle, providing for her family and others. Villagers near and far received care packages of meat or fish and berries from Eva. In 1997, the Alaska Federation of Natives selected Eva "Atauchaq" Ryan as the first recipient of their Hunter/Fisher Award. In 2012, the 27th Alaska State Legislature honored both Wilfred Ryan Sr. and Eva Ryan in recognition of their contributions to air transportation and the Alaska aviation community. They were inducted into the Alaska Aviation Museum's Hall of Fame on March 22, 2012.
Throughout her life, Eva spent her days being productive and, depending on the season, she was busy with her subsistence lifestyle; collecting herring eggs on kelp, seal hunting, making seal oil and black meat, gathering bird eggs and greens, drying and smoking salmon, berry picking and hunting moose and caribou. When not in the country, she was busy sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidering, tanning and sewing furs, and creating grass baskets. Eva Ryan was a strong, hard-working and independent woman whom many admired, respected and loved. Her kindness, generosity and compassion will be greatly missed.
Eva is survived by her children, Sue (John) Eckels, Linda (Clarence Jr.) Towarak, Wilfred (Victoria) Ryan Jr., Glenda (Jake) Sherman, Adrian (Amy) Ryan, Pauline Nicoll, Dennis Ryan, Ferno (Jim) Tweto and Stephanie (Craig McConnell) Ryan; 28 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Larry (Maggie) Ivanoff. Eva was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred; infant son, Dean; parents, Paul and May Ivanoff; and siblings, Clarence Towarak Sr., Ralph Ivanoff, Myrtle Garrison, Johnny Ivanoff, Emma Moses, Paul Ivanoff II, Henrietta Hansen, Fina Bunch, Laurina Ryan and Glenn Ivanoff.
