Former R-J executive dies at 85
Noah Walter Ryals, a former Las Vegas Review-Journal business manager and circulation director, died April 27 at his home in Marshfield, Mo. He was 85.
Ryals began his lifelong career in newspapers in 1960, when he joined the Review-Journal after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno.
In 1967 he left Las Vegas to become general manager of the Nevada Appeal. Two years later he became state and business editor of the Nevada State Journal, which eventually merged with another paper to become the Reno Gazette-Journal.
His career carried him to newspapers in California, New Mexico and Texas.
"He spent his life dedicated to the newspaper business," said Criston Menz, one of his five daughters. "He thrived on it. He loved it."
Ryals was born Sept. 4, 1927, in Wilson, Ark. At 17, he joined the Navy for two years and served in the Pacific during World War II. He then joined the Air Force, which brought him to Stead Air Force Base in Reno.
He turned down a football scholarship at the University of Arkansas to pursue a journalism degree at UNR. He was a star center for the university's football team.
He retired in Missouri with his wife, Pat, whom he met while publisher of the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Services were held May 3.
Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.
