Peggy Hebert Ryan passed away peacefully after a short illness on July 14, 2020.  Peggy was a proud native Houstonian, born the third daughter of Houston restauranteur, Clifton Hebert and his wife, Lula.  She graduated from St. Agnes Academy in addition to helping at the family restaurant, checking hats and coats growing up. She attended USO dances and socials with her older sisters, Derrell and Joyce, and worked as a “hall girl” at Humble Oil in downtown Houston after college.

Peggy had many interests. A voracious reader, she always had reading material close at hand, whether it was a book, newspaper or Readers Digest.  Her love of humorous (and sometimes slightly baudy!) ‘cowboy poetry’ inspired her to compose her own poems. One she titled, “Mooning”, was inspired by her youngest son and daughter, after the son’s rehearsal dinner prior to his wedding. (We won’t go into details here on that one!)  Always thoughtful of her children, even when some moved far away, they enjoyed her little ‘care packages’ she’d set aside with articles, books, or memorabilia which she’d send to them on occasion.  Gardening was also a hobby that she thoroughly enjoyed all of her life. Her backyard garden was a beautiful site to see with a wide variety of fruit trees, plants and flowers, in which she lovingly shared and traded cuttings with friends and family members. She was an avid photographer and had several cameras over the years from Brownies to digital cameras, mastering the new technology and taking wonderful pictures with each one. Thanks to her we have numerous photo albums recording the events of her life, as well as records of all the trips she and Paul took traveling around the world in their retirement. Her sense of humor and flair for the dramatic was hilarious at times. One instance of her arriving at the airport to pick up one of her daughters, not only drew several amused stares from the crowd, but quickly turned into peals of laughter when with one hand in the air, she ‘struck a pose’ in a hot-pink wig to grab her daughter’s attention!

She met her future husband, Paul Ryan, through her Aunt Florence of New Orleans, who was good friends with Paul’s mother, Grace Ryan.  Paul traveled frequently from New Orleans to Houston on business and her aunt suggested she introduce him to some nice girls.  Peggy said, with a smile, “I was the nicest girl I knew”, and that was the beginning of a beautiful life-long romance.

After dating for 18 months, Paul asked her what she wanted for Christmas.  Her answer was, “How about an engagement ring?” She said,” You could have knocked Paul over with a feather.” She got her proposal and ring.  The wedding was set for May, but Paul was in the U.S. Air Force and was required to report for duty the 2nd week of April.  The wedding was moved up to April 1, 1951 (April Fool’s Day) which was the first Sunday available to have the reception at the family’s restaurant, Hebert’s Ritz Restaurant.  They were married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Houston on April 1, 1951 with the reception following at the Ritz.

 

Colonel Paul V. Ryan, U.S.A.F.(Retired) 1923-2020

Colonel Paul V. Ryan, U.S.A.F.(Retired), a 25+ year resident of Shoreacres, TX passed away November 20, 2020 at the age of 97. He was born in Guatemala, January 27, 1923 where his father was plantation manager of United Fruit Company. At the age of 6, Paul’s parents and older brother, (also a decorated U.S Air Force pilot) moved back to Metairie, Louisiana, where he was raised. He graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans with a degree in accounting. (We were amazed how he could look at a column of figures and add them in his head.)

During WW II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp, and trained to become a pilot, flying C-119 and C-130’s among other prop planes. He graduated from flight school just as the war ended. He stayed in and served during the Korean conflict as a pilot.  Many times, Paul’s missions were to test some of the warplanes before they were delivered to be used in various hot spots around the world.  He recalled one incident where a window blew out in the cockpit. It sounded like a bomb went off.  That happened on a dangerous night flight from

Alaska to Guam during a snowstorm.  They had large oxygen tanks to carry with them back then, not the type they have today.  After an admitted moment of sheer terror, with objects flying around the interior of the plane, he and his crew managed to safely make it to their destination.

On some of his missions to northern climates, he discovered his love of snow skiing.  Many of his crew members who enjoyed the sport as well, made certain to sign on to fly with the young pilot when the chance to ski was possible during breaks from their flights. Later, when his children were born, he shared his love of skiing with them.  Paul proudly and honorably continued serving his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for 40 years, retiring as a Colonel. He was honored with the National Defense Meritorious Service Medal in December 1979.

After Korea, he worked as an accountant and traveled back and forth from New Orleans to Houston when he discovered his future bride, Peggy Hebert. He met her when her Aunt Florence (a friend of Paul’s mother) asked if Peggy she could introduce him to a nice girl. She loved to say, “I was the nicest girl I knew”.

They were married April 1, 1951 and made their home in Houston.  With dreams of starting his own business, Paul went back to school. Earning a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Houston, he successfully started his own company, RYCO Engineering. Later, RYCO expanded into production with another company, Pace Instruments.

Paul was also an avid sailor and member of the Houston Yacht Club. There he shared his love of the sea and the peacefulness of sailing with his family and friends, often remarking on how “very pleasant” it was.  His children still smile at this often-used phrase, knowing how contented he was on his yacht! After his retirement, he and Peggy traveled around the world and frequently renting sailboats in the Caribbean, Virgin Islands, Greece, Tahiti, Australia and New Zealand.

He also loved flying and piloted the family on numerous trips over the years. These trips included many snow skiing vacations, Disneyworld and visits to New Orleans where his mother lived.

Since Paul spent his formative years living in the New Orleans area, he relished in the sights, tastes and smells of wonderful French/Cajun cuisine. He loved to cook and experiment with  new foods and flavors.  For many years the family enjoyed his creations and he took pride in providing delicious meals for all.   He also helped manage Hebert’s Ritz Restaurant with Peggy after her parents were no longer able to do so, until the restaurant closed in 1989.  Forever the doting husband, Paul continued cooking and caring for his lovely bride until a stroke prevented him from doing so in 2017.  Together they moved into The Crossings, in League City, where Peggy and Paul still enjoyed their evening cocktails together until Peggy passed away in July 2020.

Paul is now reunited with the love of his life, Peggy Hebert Ryan (his wife of 69 years); son, Paul V. Ryan, II; parents, William and Grace Ryan; brother, William J. Ryan II and grandson Clinton J. Ryan

He leaves behind his daughters: Patricia Ryan Gibson, Sharon Ryan Anderson (Richard); sons: William J. Ryan (Sandy) and Kevin P. Ryan (Tracy); 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Paul and Peggy will be interred side by side in a graveside service with full military honors. Due to the current health cautions, a service will be held at a future date, hopefully in the early summer 2021, due to the Covid-19 virus.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a United States Veteran’s association.