Oswald Ryan was an original member of the Civil Aeronautics Board when it was created in 1938 and its chairman for one year in 1953. Mr. Ryan served on the board, originally called the Civil Aeronautics Authority, under Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower.

He was a prominent figure in civil aviation for more than 20 years. On the 15th anniversary of the board, created under the Civil Aeronautics Act of August 1938, Mr. Ryan was the only member of the original board still serving.