48 | OCTOBER 28 • 2021 

OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

A Loving Family Man and Builder
R

yan Dembs, 49, of 
Franklin, passed away 
unexpectedly on Oct. 
17, 2021. 
He was born in Detroit three 
weeks late to Linda and Dennis 
Dembs and was cherished by 
his family from the day he 
was brought home from the 
hospital. His mother remarked 
how he was “born considerate,
” 
sleeping through his very first 
night. 
He grew up in a nurturing 
home in Farmington Hills 
with his mom and older sister 
Lauren; his dad and stepmom, 
Sandra, were very close by. Ryan 
and sister Lauren rarely fought. 
Together they spent their child-
hood playing Atari, dancing 
to their mom’s piano playing, 
riding their bikes with friends 
around the neighborhood and 
traveling with their dad and 
Sandra. 
In school, he was exception-
ally smart although a bit mis-
chievous. He became a member 
of Mensa at a young age, solv-
ing any Rubik’s Cube given to 
him. As a young child, Ryan 
developed athletic abilities; his 
favorite sports were tennis and 
baseball.
Ryan had a special relation-
ship with each of his parents. 
His mother’s kindness and 
unwavering loyalty are values 
Ryan carried throughout his 
life. His relationship with his 
father grew through their love 
of music to working down the 
hall from one another. Denny’s 
joy was watching his son navi-
gate his career and create pro-
fessional relationships as a real 
estate developer. 
Ryan was a dedicated uncle 
to his nieces and nephews and 
always enjoyed hearing about 
their accomplishments. To his 
in-laws, he was the son they 
never had.
During his formative years, 
Ryan amassed a large network 

of friends, rela-
tionships he has 
cultivated for his 
entire life, which 
became part of 
his family. Friends 
were drawn to him 
for his kindness, 
insightful mind 
and one-of-a-kind 
brotherhoods. Ryan 
made everyone 
feel important. He 
was a wonderful listener, advice 
giver and advocate.
Ryan spent the last 25 years 
building a successful real estate 
business, cultivating and grow-
ing Dembs Development into 
what it is today. He surrounded 
himself with steadfast employ-
ees in the office and the field; 
his employees, contractors 
and subcontractors became 
extensions of his family. His 
accolades span developments 
in Auburn Hills, which include 
the new research lab facility of 
Martinrea and the U.S. head-
quarters of GKN Automotive, 
the high-tech manufacturer 
of innovative products, Nachi 
Robotics Systems in Novi 
and the American Expedition 
Vehicle technical center in 
Lyon Township. His most 
recent endeavor was transform-
ing the 360,000-square-foot 
Federal-Mogul building into 
the American headquarters 
of the Italian and Japan-based 
automotive supplier Marelli. 
His turn-key projects from con-
ception to construction span 
the state of Michigan and will 
continue to be a reminder and 
tribute to his triumphant career.
The biggest honor in his life 
was the formation of his own 
family. Ryan took the initiative 
to call Lindsay and ask her out 
on a date after insistence from 
his father. With his car detailed 
and shoes shined, he spent the 
evening talking to Lindsay. He 
knew during dinner he had met 

his soulmate, his one 
true love. Lindsay and 
Ryan’s unending love 
brought them success 
as parents with their 
two greatest accom-
plishments, Dylan and 
Harrison. Sharing fami-
ly dinners and listening 
about their days was 
Ryan’s favorite pastime. 
He was a devoted father 
who shared a passion 
for sports with his boys, which 
included watching boxing 
matches, Piston games and trav-
eling to Lion’s games or All-Star 
sporting events. Once a month, 
they unboxed sports cards 
together hoping for that special 
card; at Thanksgiving dinner 
they pulled the Michael Jordan 
Rookie card. 
Moving Dylan to Indiana 
University was a proud moment 
for Ryan; he knew Dylan would 
flourish on campus. This past 
summer, Harrison went to work 
with Ryan on the Marelli job-
site. Following in the footsteps 
of his father, he quickly became 
friends with all the contractors, 
sharing lunch together at the 
local Coney Island.
Ryan cared very much for 
the Jewish community. He 
and Lindsay quickly became 
involved with JARC, co-chair-
ing young adult events; they 
also spear-headed events for 
Yad Ezra. He gave generously 
and quietly. Ryan supported the 
many people and charities that 
were close to his heart. After his 
wife was diagnosed with MS, he 
made it his mission to research, 
support and make sure Lindsay 
would receive the best care. He 
was a devoted, humble and gen-
erous husband.
Ryan possessed a skill set of 
brilliant business acumen to 
go along with his integrity to 
have amassed a wide network 
of friends, acquaintances and 
business professionals from all 

walks of life. Whether it was 
through his daily phone calls, 
Wednesdays at tennis, yoga 
sessions, Sunday runs, family 
affairs, trips up north, vacations, 
business meetings or walking 
the construction sites, many 
were lucky to call Ryan their 
best friend. It is unimaginable 
that this sadness will dissipate, 
but his legacy as a gem will live 
on forever; he will be missed 
by all.
To have known Ryan was 
a blessing. His humbleness, 
respect, charismatic personality, 
easiness and his mere presence 
taught us how to treat people, 
how to give and how to love. He 
was a superhero to his boys, a 
prince to his wife, a rockstar to 
many, a respectable real estate 
developer to professionals and 
a best friend to everyone he 
knew. Ryan’s light will continue 
to radiate through our entire 
community.
Ryan Dembs is survived by 
his wife of 20 years, Lindsay 
Dembs; two sons, Dylan and 
Harrison; his loving parents, 
Linda Dembs, and Sandra 
and Dennis Dembs; his loving 
mother-in-law and father-in-
law, Shelley and David Wainer; 
his sister and brother-in-law, 
Lauren and Randy Lesson; his 
sister-in-law and brother-in-law, 
Ashley and Brian Adelman; 
his nieces and nephews, 
Corey, Josh and Jillian Lesson, 
Aria and Evann Oleshansky, 
Madeline, Jonah, Isabella and 
Joey Adelman; his special 
friend, Suda Wagner; his other 
loving relatives and a world of 
friends.
Interment was at Clover Hill 
Park Cemetery. Contributions 
may be made to the National 
Multiple Sclerosis Society, a 
personal campaign sponsored 
In Memory of Ryan Dembs; 
or to a charity of one’s choice. 
Arrangements made by 
Dorfman Chapel. 

Ryan Dembs

