Tuesday, January 13, 2004

Warren B. Ryther

MORRIS -- Warren B. Ryther Jr., 84, of Morris died at his home on Jan. 12, 2004.

He was born on Jan. 25, 1919, in Eden, the son of Warren and Catherine (Coleman) Ryther.

He married Harriet M. Hurlbut on Dec. 4, 1942, in Oxford.

He was a 48-year resident of Morris where he served as superintendent of the Morris Central School from 1955 to 1975. He previously was superintendent of the Guilford Central School from 1951 to 1955, and he was interim superintendent at the Grand Gorge Central School from 1975 to 1977.

He taught physical education at Guilford Central School from 1941 to 1942, and at the Avoca Central School from 1946 to 1951. From 1978 to 1985, he was clerk/treasurer of the Village of Morris.

A graduate of Eden High School and Ithaca College, he had a master's degree in educational administration from Alfred University. He also did graduate work at Cornell University, Syracuse University and State University at Albany. He served his country during World War II in the United States Naval Reserve, first as a Chief Specialist and then as a commissioned officer. He served aboard the U.S.S. Clermont with Naval Amphibious Forces in the Pacific.

He was a member of the Morris United Methodist Church, having served as Lay leader, treasurer and choir member. He served the Morris Rotary Club twice as president and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1980. He was a member and past commander of the Butternuts Valley American Legion Post No. 1135 for 34 years. He served as Master of Ceremonies at the Morris community observance of Memorial Day.

An avid sportsman, he was a member and past president of the Butternut Valley Rod and Gun Club. He had served as director of the following: Tri-County Motor Club, Catskill Mountain Educational Center, Otsego Urban Rural Self-Development Association (O.U.R.S.), Opportunities for Otsego, the Otsego County Association for Retarded Children and the Otsego County 4-H Committee.

He was a trustee and former president of the Morris Village Library and was chairman of the Butternut Valley Health Center at its Inception in 1978. In 1985, the Louisville Grange named him Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

In 2003, the community athletic fields adjacent to the Morris Central School were named in his honor. He was a member emeritus of the American Association of School Administrators and a member of the New York State Council of School District Administrators.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Harriet; two sons and their wives, Warren III and Jane of Garrattsville, and Richard and Norma of Pittsford; a brother, Coleman Ryther of Canandaigua; and sisters, Evelyn Savage and Marjorie Murphy, both of Eden; and his grandchildren, David, Brian, Allison, Christopher and Suzanne: and a great-granddaughter, Emma.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris.

Burial will be in the Hillington Cemetery in Morris.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the United Methodist Church in Morris at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Ann Blair officiating.

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make memorial donations to the Morris Methodist Church or the Youth Programs of the Morris Rotary Club in Warren's name.

Arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.