Mr. Ryor, who also received a master's degree from WMU, began his career as a mathematics teacher and was chosen "Teacher of the Year" for the state of Michigan in 1973.
In 1975, he was named president of the National Education Association and was the first to hold that position for two terms.
He also served as an assistant to President Jimmy Carter, and as the executive director of the education associations for the states of Illinois and Florida.