He studied for two years at the University of Massachusetts, followed by training at a business school in Washington, D.C., from which he graduated after taking a civil service examination.

Both sons worked for the State Department and Robert Joseph Ryan, Jr. was the US Ambassador to Mali from 1984-1987.

[5] Soon after, he completed a law degree at the Columbus School of Law in the Catholic University of America in D.C.[2][5] Ryan worked in the passport office headed by Ruth Shipley until he was transferred to the personnel office, where he assumed managerial duties.

He was interviewed by Roy Cohn, David Schine, and Julius Sourwine (an ex-FBI agent) in 1953.

[2] This same year, Ryan became the Executive Director of the Bureau of Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs.

[1] As Counselor of Embassy, Ryan was responsible for administrative affairs and for the United States missions to NATO, the OECD and UNESCO.

He then joined the United Nations, where he worked from 1969 to 1977 as Director of Administrative Affairs and later Assistant Secretary General.

He also joined the boards of Bethune-Cookman College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Diplomatic and Consular Officers Retired (DACOR).