Geoffrey Cobb Ryan 1933-2007

By Lewis Rosenberg

NYC Audubon regrets to report that our friend, colleague, and stalwart leader, Geoffrey Cobb Ryan, passed away in August, a month after the discovery of a brain tumor.

In the spring of 1978, Geoff met at Pace University, with about a dozen environmentally concerned New Yorkers with interests in the natural world to discuss the desirability of formulating a New York City Audubon chapter. While the National Audubon Society was long headquartered in the city and the Linnaean Society was at the American Museum of Natural History, it was believed only an energized, broad-based local organization could effectively champion concerns for the emerging environmental cause here.

That meeting, followed by others that Geoff tirelessly participated in, led to the formation of NYC Audubon, which upon its inception in 1979, became the largest chapter in the country: there were then more than 10,000 members of the National Audubon Society living in the city who automatically became members.

In the nearly thirty years that have followed, Geoff served as an officer, including as President, and on many working committees. In that time, he devoted countless hours and days to the cause, which he articulated capably and persuasively, but never stridently.

In addition to NYC Audubon, he served on the boards of Audubon New York, the state office, and on the board of the National Audubon Society. For all these groups and for all the committees on which Geoff severed, his enthusiasm never wavered.

If one were compelled to describe Geoff in summary, it would be as a bright, persistent, inspired and likeable person, always calm and reasonable.

Aided by his partner of many years, Betty Hamilton, Geoff nurtured NYC Audubon to its position of preeminence in serving the cause of nature and the environment. The success of this chapter is a living testament to Geoff’s good works, and its ongoing mission furthers the ideals he so valiantly pursued with us for thirty years. He will be greatly missed.

The National Audubon Society has created a special memorial fund that will be shared by all three Audubon organizations. If you would like to make a contribution, please click here to go to the National Audubon Society website.