Walter H. Ryle IV, former Truman State University professor and athletic director, died earlier this week.
Ryle worked as a history professor for almost 40 years at Truman. During that time, he served on Undergraduate Council and served for 20 years on the University Athletic Committee. In 1994, Ryle became athletic director and held that position for five years.
Ryle was inducted into the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and Truman Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.
His father, Walter H. Ryle, was the seventh president at Truman from 1937 to 1967. As a result of his presidency and impact on the campus, Ryle Hall is named after the former president.
Ernie Hughes, vice president for university advancement, said in a written statement that Truman mourns the loss of Walt H. Ryle IV.
“Walt was a very loyal supporter of Truman State University,” Hughes wrote. “He spent a great deal of time growing on campus and working at the institution. Walt was a very strong loyal [supporter] to the athletic department and wrestling.”
Hughes wrote that Ryle and his wife, Connie Ryle, have been the contact for the President Walter and Maurine Ryle Scholarship and the Dr. Walter Ryle International Scholarship, both in honor of his father, who was president for 30 years.
Hughes said that Walt will be missed and that he left an impact on everyone he touched