A Noble Statesman
by Julius Ballanco, P.E., CPD
August 1, 2010
The late John Ed Ryan was a true champion of the code profession.
On July 3, we lost a code
statesman in John Ed Ryan. Not everyone had the opportunity to meet or know
John Ed, but for those of us who did, he was a true treasure of a man.
John Ed was a friend to all. He loved the code profession and dedicated his
life to it. I met him in the late 1970s when I was a young engineer just
getting started in the profession. Already an elder statesman, John Ed
represented the wood industry. He had a lifetime of experiences that he shared
with everyone.
What I learned right away was that everyone in the code profession liked one
another. John Ed would fight fiercely during the public hearings for his point
of view. Someone else would argue fiercely against his point of view. Then
later, I saw the two of them talking, laughing and having a good time. John Ed
often told me: “We fight on the floor for our points of view, but if we can’t
be friends afterwards, there is no sense in being in this profession. We all
are working for the same thing — protection of public health, safety and
welfare.”
That really struck me, because there were times I disagreed with John Ed on
issues. Yet he would present his point of view in a gentlemanly manner. I could
argue my point of view, yet we would remain close friends.
A Classy Mentor
The one thing that I really
admired about John Ed is how he took all the young people under his wing. He
was always the professor, yet he was also your biggest fan. He wanted you to
succeed in the profession.
When I went to work for BOCA, we became even closer friends. I would see John
Ed at all of the important inspectors meetings. He was always lending a helping
hand. Seeing him behind the scenes and witnessing all that he did made me
admire him that much more.
When I would meet John Ed at various meetings in the Northeast, he would always
introduce me to the movers and shakers. He wanted me to know all of the important
people. His introductions were always such that he made me feel important. He
always built me up — but he did that to everyone. That was the type of gentleman
John Ed was. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. Plus, everyone respected
and admired him.
There were times at code-adoption meetings that I observed John Ed supporting
the adoption of the new code. One time I went up to him and asked why if he
lost a major code change in the last hearing, was he supporting the code
adoption? His response was that we fight on the code floor and then we support
the adoption of that code, as is. This was how strongly he supported the code
profession.
More John Eds Needed
With the current strategy
of fighting the adoption of the 2009 International Residential Code because of
the mandatory fire sprinkler requirements, we need more John Ed Ryans present.
I can imagine John Ed telling the politicians to just adopt the code without
amendments. He would tell all those opposed to the mandatory sprinkler requirements
to fight their issue on the code-change floor.
In one of our final conversations, John Ed told me he supported the mandatory
sprinkler requirements, which was a surprise because it was an issue we always
disagreed on. His comment to me was the time had come and, furthermore,
sprinklers are now a lot cheaper to install, so it was no longer a big
deal.
I can’t tell you how good that made me feel knowing that the person I loved and
respected in this profession supported such an important issue. I remember
saying, “Thank you.” His response was, “No, thank you for all that you have
done.” That was so like John Ed to pass on accolades.
John Ed The Historian
John Ed also was a great
historian of codes. He knew every part of the code profession. He also knew the
origins of code requirements. Whenever I was stuck, I knew I could call him or
ask him and he would have the answer.
The staff of BOCA used to have a pool at every code hearing on how long it
would take John Ed to mention the 1950s in his testimony on a code change. Many
of the staff’s young whippersnappers didn’t care to hear about the old days.
They wanted to hear testimony on the latest state-of-the-art
stuff.
It never did take John Ed long to mention the 1950s. But if you listened to
him, he was educating you on the code and the code process. This was the early
1980s and the 1950s seemed so long ago to those of us on the staff. Many of us
were born in the 1950s.
Today when I testify, I have found myself mentioning the 1980s. Every time that
comes out of my mouth, I stop and think of John Ed as I am testifying. He was
right in that we must know where we came from so we don’t repeat the mistakes
we have made in the past. As he taught, history in the code profession is
important.
I often wonder if the staffs of the code bodies take a pool on how long it will
take me to mention the 1980s at a hearing.
John Ed retired many years ago, but his mind was still sharp. I always enjoyed
seeing him at the code hearings. We would always find time to talk and discuss
what was going on in the business. I still looked for John Ed’s support on
various issues. How could you not respect the opinion of the master?
For many years, John Ed took excellent care of his loving wife, Frances. When
she died, John Ed knew that God had taken her to a better place. Now John Ed
gets to join Frances
again.
God bless you, John Ed. Thank you for all your years and dedication to the
profession and to your fellow man. You will be missed at the code hearings.
Julius Ballanco, P.E., CPD
jbengineer@aol.com
Julius Ballanco, P.E., is Editorial Director of PM Engineer and president of J.B. Engineering and Code Consulting, P.C. in Munster, IN. Prior to starting J.B. Engineering, he served as head of plumbing and mechanical engineering for Building Officials and Code Administrators International, one of the organizations that formed the International Code Council (ICC). His engineering consulting work includes the design of plumbing, mechanical and fire-protection systems; forensic engineering; training; and serving numerous manufacturers in different capacities. In addition, Ballanco is the current president of ASPE and a member of both ICC and IAPMO. He can be reached by e-mail at jbengineer@aol.com.
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