Willis Garson Ryckman ’32

Body

After a distinguished career as business executive, author, professor, and bank founder, Bill died June 25, 1995, at his home in Charlottesville, Va.

Starting his business career with the Electrolux Corp., he eventually became a senior executive and general manager with the company's southeastern division in Atlanta. Taking early retirement, Bill became a lecturer at the Darden School of Business at the Univ. of Virginia, where he taught for over 17 years. He received an honorary chair there in 1983, as well as a doctor of laws for his work at Lynchburg College. He authored and published 17 books and was a founder of the Charlottesville Savings and Loan Assn. His principal hobby was the Civil War, about which he published numerous articles.

Bill is survived by Isabel, his wife of 55 years, a son, Willis, a daughter, Robin Graziano, and five grandchildren. The class sympathizes with them in their loss.

The Class of 1932

0 Responses

Join the conversation

Plain text

Full name and Princeton affiliation (if applicable) are required for all published comments. For more information, view our commenting policy. Responses are limited to 500 words for online and 250 words for print consideration.

Paw in print

Image
PAW's July/August 2025 issue cover, featuring a photo of people dressed in orange and black, marching in the P-rade, and the headline: Reunions, Back in Orange & Black.
The Latest Issue

July 2025

On the cover: Wilton Virgo ’00 and his classmates celebrate during the P-rade.