Service Details
According to Ryan’s wishes, private services will be held by his family. A celebration of Ryan’s life will be held in the near future when a proper gathering is allowed.
Ryan D. Glass, 45, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on October 19, 2020. He was born in Racine on September 18, 1975, son of David and Linda (Née: Mohrbacher) Glass.
Ryan graduated in 1993 from Racine Horlick high school where he excelled in academics and was a starting setter on the volleyball team. He played many sports growing up but came to love volleyball and played on various teams the rest of his life. The highlights of his volleyball career included winning the 1990 high school state championship with his Horlick team and the numerous spikes and blocks he completed when the opposing team tried to pick on the “short guy”. He continued his education at UW- Milwaukee where he received a BS Degree in Biological Science.
While at UWM he entertained his friends with his pet snakes and tropical fish. He also expanded his education by working at pet stores where he learned about the setup and maintenance of tropical fish aquariums. After graduation he established his own business, Glass Aquatics, specializing in design and maintenance of large saltwater aquariums. He also opened his own store on Locust St. where he designed and setup numerous tanks to display his creative designs and the living products that he sold. His store was always a popular place to visit, especially during Locust Street Days when he demonstrated the feeding frenzy of piranha and the aggressive saltwater fish. Although he was forced to close the store for financial reasons he continued his business from his home. He volunteered at Sweetwater where he learned about aquaphonics. He then designed and setup small aquaphonics systems for educational purpose at various Milwaukee schools. He also spent many late-night volunteer hours setting up the large aquarium at the Racine Zoo. To supplement his income Ryan worked at various part time jobs, but mostly for his friend Martin, where he developed woodworking skills. Ryan moved to the River West area shortly after opening his store. He could often be seen walking his dogs Louise (Wheezy) and later, Jordan, or socializing with his many friends. When not working Ryan could often be found pursuing his lifelong passion for fishing at his “spot” on the Milwaukee River.
Ryan is survived by his parents, David and Linda Glass; his grandfather William (Mary); his brother Kevin(Kathi); niece, Darian; sister, Kelly; uncle, Chris ; aunt, Laurie; cousins, Jason, Kari, Stephanie Charlton, and Ashleigh Mohrbacher; uncle ,Ed (Julie) Mohrbacher; and uncle, Jamie Charlton. Also survived by his longtime friend Jake Brown and the many friends that he made throughout is life.
Ryan is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ken and Myrtle Mohrbacher; grandmother, AnnaMae Glass; and his aunt, Kathy Charlton.
Ryan’s personality and sense of humor will greatly be missed by all. According to Ryan’s wishes, private services will be held by his family. A celebration of Ryan’s life will be held in the near future when a proper gathering is allowed.
Pat Fuhrman says
We are so sorry for the family. Please accept our deepest sympathies & love during this sad time. May God rest his soul, Amen.
Pat & Lee Fuhrman & Family
Kay Kiehlbauch Nannet says
Dear family,
I send my love and prayers as you celebrate Ryan’s amazing life, and mourn his untimely death. May your hearts know moments of peace & comfort in the days and months ahead.
Much love ❤️
MaryLou Papara Fisher says
Ryan was a friend from HS. Although it’s been many years, I’ll never forget his smile and kind nature. Thinking of his family at this sad time. ❤️
Helen Aguina says
So sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful young man.
Sue and John Lauder says
So sorry for all of you. Hugs and prayers.
Tina M Kellner says
RIP Friend
Caroline Steele says
Sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers 🙏 are with all of you.
Rhett M. Straube says
I have so many wonderful memories of Ryan. My condolences to his family and friends at this time of loss.
Anonymous says
We wish our words could somehow ease your sadness, but in our hearts we know the most they can do is simply tell you how much we care.
Our condolences to you and your family
Roselyn, Paul, Garo and Ani Mikaelian
Laurie Glass, (Aunt Laurie) says
We will miss that happy guy with the great laugh. His care in choosing Christmas gifts and goofy sense of humor will remain in family lore. Gone way too soon.
Stacey Bonenberger says
So sorry for your loss… prayers and love to your family.
Nicholas Straube says
I had the pleasure of working with Ryan, making pizzas in Racine and later in Milwaukee where we were briefly room mates along with Jake, Weezy and an entire menagerie of animals of all varieties. I’ll never forget walking into the bathroom to find a rabbit thawing in the bathtub, being prepped to feed the 12 foot long python living in the kitchen, or the eel in the dining room that leapt out of the aquarium, biting Ryan on the hand when he picked it up to return it to its tank, causing his hand to swell up like a balloon. My very deepest condolences to Kevin and the rest of his family and friends. I am very sorry for your loss.
Steve Thieme says
You left us too soon my friend. You will live on in our memories of all the good times we had over the years. Be at piece my friend.
Bonnie Oakley(Jakes mom) says
So sorry and prayers to the family. I loved all Jake and Ryan’s adventures .
Coach Sue Gabbey says
Dear Glass Family,
I was so sad to hear about your loss. The comments in his obituary about his love of volleyball and skills on the court were perfect. He was a fun young man, and a great, natural athlete. He always played big! I will include Ryan and your whole family in my prayers.
Family of Ryan Glass says
Thank you to Mark and all staff at Draeger-Langendorf for guiding us through this most difficult time. Their professional expertise will never be forgotten.
In addition Thank You to all Ryan’s friends who signed our guestbook and shared their stories about their relationship with Ryan throughout his life. We also thank all the compassion and support we received from family and friends both far and near during this time. All these memories will help us heal.
Linda,Dave,Kevin,and Kelly Glass
Billie says
I was incredibly saddened to learn about Ryan’s passing. I worked for him at Glass Aquatics before I was hired at Racine Zoo. He taught me not just about Life Support Systems, best practices and good standard of care for freshwater and marine fishes but how to laugh while gluing endless PVC. I owe most of my knowledge of aquatics to him. I worked with him on the marine tank at Racine, many long hours that he volunteered. In its glory day, that exhibit was truly something to behold, thanks to him. His joyous spirit and knowledgeable approach will be sorely missed by the greater community he built through his businesses and by me. I hope he knew how thankful I am for everything he taught me and for his warmth and humor.