Robert J. Ryan Sr.

Robert Joseph Ryan Sr. (July 11, 1914 September 17, 2003) was an American diplomat. Ryan served as the US Ambassador to Niger from 1964 to 1968.

Early life and family Robert Joseph Ryan was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts to Thomas W. Ryan and Hannah Whalen. He graduated from Smith Academy. He studied for two years at the University of Massachusetts, followed by training at a business school in Washington, D.C., from which he graduated after taking a civil service examination. They had two sons together: Robert Joseph Ryan, Jr. and Thomas Ryan. Both sons worked for the State Department and Robert Joseph Ryan, Jr. was the US Ambassador to Mali from 1984-1987.

Career Ryan joined the Department of State in 1937. Soon after, he completed a law degree at the Columbus School of Law in the Catholic University of America in D.C. He was present when John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy visited Paris in 1961. He worked in this capacity until 1968. As Ambassador to Niger, Ryan developed plans to construct a new US embassy. He also helped with the construction of the Kennedy Bridge over the Niger River. The embassy wasn't complete until after Ryan had already left the position. before leaving the Department. He then joined the United Nations, where he worked from 1969 to 1977 as Director of Administrative Affairs and later Assistant Secretary General.

Ryan died in Daytona Beach at the age of 89.