Statement on the passing of Michael Ryan

It is with shock and profound sadness that Friends of Europe has learned of the death of Michael (Mike) Ryan, a long-standing Trustee of our organisation and one of the great trans-Atlanticists of his generation. 

Mike applied the comprehensive, “all-of-society” and cross-silo approach long before these terms became buzzwords in the international arena. He found great pleasure in making connections between people – his friends were your friends. He was truly an exceptional person – intelligent, effective, collaborative, loyal and warm.

Mike honed his commitment to a strong and enduring transatlantic relationship when, as the son of a US World War Two aviator, he grew up on US military bases in Europe during the formative years of NATO.

He went on to serve his country but also the alliance in a number of different roles: as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon, Political Advisor at the US European Command (EUCOM) in Stuttgart, Director of Studies at the NATO School in Oberammergau (where he became celebrated for his masterful moderation of debates always open to a wide range of views), and his time at NATO Headquarters in Brussels serving with the US Mission. In this latter capacity, he mentored generations of US military officers and future leaders, not only helping them to navigate the complex corridors of NATO but also schooling them in the values of working together, fair burden sharing, mutual respect and solidarity which made the transatlantic security partnership so successful-for both sides of the Atlantic. 

Mike was always convinced that the US benefited from its partnership with Europe and needed to remain engaged with significant military forces and political investment in NATO. Yet he was one of the first US senior officials and security experts to recognise the key role that the European Union can play in building up Europe’s defence capabilities and strengthening the transatlantic alliance in the process.

He was equally passionate about Germany and France working more closely together and pointing the way for the rest of Europe. He advocated reform and change as he believed they were necessary, but always in a spirit of modernising the alliance to face new security challenges, and never to abandon it and go it alone at a time of increasing threats and dangers to the transatlantic community.

At a time when the alliance is being questioned on both sides of the Atlantic, and trust has been lost, Mike’s experience and expertise, coupled with his strong and convincing voice in the debate, will be sorely missed. He has left big shoes to fill. 

Despite his heavy workload in and out of government, Mike always found time to support Friends of Europe’s Peace, Security and Defence programme, which would not have been so successful without his personal engagement and support. 

He was a co-initiator of our Security Jams, with the first of these global brainstorms featuring 4,000 people over 3 days with a few dozen moderators, and securing the first-ever formal partnership between the EU and NATO in the public diplomacy sphere.  Many will remember his vibrant and stimulating interventions at our conferences, public events and Board meetings.

His efforts to develop a close partnership between EUCOM and Friends of Europe as well as his support for our Ukraine Initiative were also deeply appreciated. From across the Atlantic, his constant encouragement and always helpful advice and feedback on our projects and policy proposals made Mike a familiar presence not only for the Leadership Team but for the entire Friends of Europe staff and broader community.

He remained approachable and courteous throughout and with a very ‘Mike Ryan sense of humour’ that, injected periodically into even the most serious discussions, could enliven the atmosphere and bring everyone together. At the same time, Mike could be frank and his intellectual rigour was frequently challenging. But he was always constructive and determined to make everything we did as impactful as possible. We will miss him, whether as a thought leader, mentor, colleague or friend. 

St Patrick’s Day has lost a staunch celebrator, as has the local brewery in his home town, of which he was so proud.

Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy go out to Mike’s family, his wife, Gloria, his daughter, Carissa, and his son, Michael. 

May his soul rest in peace.