May 18, 2023

It is with profound sorrow that Furuno USA announces the passing of long-time employee and friend, Deep Sea Service Manager, Shane Ryan. Shane passed away on May 8th after a prolonged illness.

Shane was born on March 30, 1971. A graduate of eastern Oregon’s Hermiston High School, Shane’s passion for electronics and engineering led him to the U.S. Navy in 1989, where he served as an Electronics Technician (ET2). Four of those years were served aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as the primary technician on that bridge. He also served on a team of 8 miniature/micro-miniature repair technicians supporting the entire Carl Vinson battle group during a 6-month deployment. From 1989 to 1995, Shane received the Navy Achievement Medal and multiple letters of appreciation for outstanding performance.

Shane came to Furuno in August 1998, beginning his career as a Repair Technician and rising quickly through the ranks to become Furuno's Deep Sea Service Manager. During his 25+ year tenure with the company, Shane had a tremendous impact on everyone he worked with. His presence was felt throughout the company and industry as a constant source of knowledge, support, and camaraderie.

“Today, we lost Shane Ryan, a founding member of our Deep Sea family and 25+ year Furuno family member,” said Bill Haynes, Deep Sea Product Manager for Furuno USA. “A close friend to many of us - a brother, a mentor, a US Navy Veteran, fellow sailor, devoted father and husband, and a truly amazing and generous person. I can’t begin to express how sad I am, knowing that he’s gone. He touched many of our lives, and the success of our Deep Sea Service business, along with the admiration of our customers for our never-ending and thorough support, owes a lot to what Shane started, grew, and perfected. Shane was a master field engineer, manager, technical instructor, and just the best guy ever. I will miss him – we will miss him - terribly. And, he will leave huge and unfillable shoes to fill.”

“It’s hard to put into words just how good a man Shane Ryan was,” said Matt Wood, National Sales Manager. “I had the pleasure and honor of working with him for over 20 years, and I rarely found anyone who was as capable, smart, and generous in spirit as Shane was. When I entered the company, Shane embraced me as a colleague, even though I arrived from working for a competitor. I like to think that he and I saw in each other kindred spirits, for whom getting the job done and ensuring the customer was satisfied was the mission and the entire mission. We would see each other in the office at really weird hours and on weekends, coming or going from a trip. I enjoyed our impromptu talks and always sensed that something would be better because Shane was "on it." Refreshingly, Shane was one of the few people I have ever worked with for whom hidden agendas simply didn’t exist. You never had to doubt where you stood with Shane. His family was everything to him, and he fought so hard that his dear wife Amy and all of his kids – Lucas, Julia, Jeffrey, and later, Russell – would grow and prosper and be as strong as Shane was. Some people can’t be replaced, and that was Shane.”

Shane received the distinguished “TAKUMI” status (Field Leader) in the Merchant category and "GOLD" status in the Fisheries category of Furuno Electric Company's Technical Service Award Program. This elite program recognizes and certifies engineers who have exceptional service skills and technical capabilities.

Shane was a devoted son, husband, and father outside the office, passionate about family, friends, and fast cars. A major theme throughout Shane’s life is how much of his time he was happy to give to anyone in need of his knowledge, his wisdom, and his patience.

Shane is survived by his wife, Amy, his daughter, Julia, and his sons, Lucas, Jeffrey, and Russell. Donations in remembrance of Shane can be made to the American Cancer Society.

"Fair winds and following seas, shipmate. You are hugely loved and mightily missed."