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