David "Dave" Ryan, 61, of Fairbank, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Hall. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Ray Atwood presiding. Firefighter Honors and Tribute will be conducted following services by the Fairbank Fire Department. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids are in charge of arrangements.

David was born February 5, 1962, in Wurtsburg, Germany, Federal Republic of West Germany, the son of Timothy Ryan and Margaret (Edwin Hymer) Allen. Meg and Ed raised David from a very young age. Ed played a large role as a father figure in Dave's life. He graduated from Starmont High School in 1980 and attended Northwest Iowa Tech in Sheldon. He was united in marriage to Mary Beth Welter on June 20, 1981, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Dave honorably served the Fairbank Fire Department from September 12, 1989, until April 19, 2023 in the positions of Firefighter, EMT, Training Officer, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief. He enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, riding motorcycles, and working on cars with his sons. His acreage was his pride and joy, and most of all he treasured the time he spent with his family.

Dave is survived by his wife Mary Beth; three children Greg Ryan, Karen (Matt Linn) Ryan and Jason Ryan (Ellen Kerschke) ; three grandchildren Drew, Paisley, and Presley; his mother Margaret (Ed) Hymer; his sister Denise (Al) Hastings; brother-in-law Steve Welter (Peggi Suckow); sister-in-law Carla (Jim) Bartels; nieces, nephews and his loyal dogs Sally and Panda.

He was preceded in death by his father, Timothy Ryan; his grandparents, Sam (Mary) Allen; his in-laws, Alvin (Marian) Welter and brother-in-law, Terry Welter.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Fairbank Fire Department for their support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.