The Reverend Joseph Hyo-Keun Ryu passed away peacefully at home in the early hours on Sunday, May 25, 2025. He was 92 years old.

Born on February 6, 1933 in Pyongyang, North Korea, Joe was the eldest of six children to parents, the Reverend Dong Hie Ryu and Wie Soon Lee. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hannah (Shyn); daughter, Frances (Jim Hacunda); daughter, Florence (Joe Peck); daughter, Joyce; daughter Julie (Lew Gardner); and grandchildren Joshua, Jonathan, Noah, Hannah, Dylan and Eli. Joe was a devoted husband, father, and “Papa.”

To all who knew him, Joe was a quiet, reserved man who dedicated his life to serving others. His childhood was deprived of the usual carefree experiences one remembers of their early years. In 1949, his father was captured by the North Korean communist regime due to his Christian faith and was never seen again. Joe was 16 years old. At age 17, Joe himself was also captured and imprisoned for a few weeks, charged with spreading anti-communist propaganda. After enduring incarceration and torture, he was released with the pressure to act as an informant amongst his village, reporting back to the regime any “suspicious activity.” Joe immediately went underground, hiding from the regime. He escaped on foot to South Korea, forced to leave behind his entire family. He was only 17 years old.

Once in South Korea, and with the assistance of an aunt who was already established in Seoul, Joe attended Yonsei University, graduating in 1956. He then went on to obtain a scholarship with the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, graduating in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in divinity. He received graduate degrees at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1961 and the University of Michigan, School of Social Work in 1970. He became an ordained Presbyterian minister in 1962, served as pastor in several churches and held leadership positions for the Korean American Presbyterian Church throughout his life.

Settling his family in Albany, New York, Joe was a certified social worker for the New York State Department of Social Services, and served as the director of the refugee assistance program helping refugees from Vietnam resettle in the state. He also helped Korean refugees, answering calls in the middle of the night to provide translation and other services to refugees in need of assistance. After 36 years of service, Joe retired in 2002 and with his wife, Hannah, moved to The Villages, Florida. He was a volunteer for the SHINE Program of Florida State Department of Elder Affairs. Joe and Hannah relocated to Amelia Island in 2019.

Joe lived his life dedicated to serving others. He was forever haunted by the loss of his family, and immensely grateful for the many blessings he received after escaping from North Korea. It was of utmost importance to him that he leave a legacy built upon the hardships he withstood and the family he lost so that he could provide opportunities for his family. Most importantly, he wanted to convey the importance of freedom and how hard fought it can be to come by.

He succeeded.

Our hope is that his lifetime wish for a peaceful reunification between North and South Korea will also be achieved.

The family is incredibly grateful to the many caregivers and staff at Lakeside who provided loving care and support to our father in his final years.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11am at the Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Fernandina Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe’s name may be made to UNICEF at: https://www.unicefusa.org/