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The Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast

Hosted By:
Bob Smithouser & Jesse Florea

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Farewell to Will Ryan

Will Ryan, in the early days of Adventures in Odyssey
Will Ryan, in the early days of Adventures in Odyssey

The Adventures in Odyssey cast and crew remembers Will Ryan (voice of Eugene Meltsner, Harlow Doyle, and others) who passed away on November 19, 2021. Voices include executive producer Dave Arnold, executive producer Chuck Bolte, writer/director Kathy Buchanan, actor Robby Bruce (voice of Buck), actor Townsend Coleman (voice of Jason), Focus on the Family president Jim Daly, sound designer Mark Drury, actor Jess Harnell (voice of Wooton), Focus on the Family Guest Relations director Diane Ingolia, co-creator Steve Harris, writer/director Nathan Hoobler, sound designer Rob Jorgensen, host Chris Anthony Lansdowne, actor Katie Leigh (voice of Connie), co-creator Phil Lollar, sound designer Bob Luttrell, executive producer Paul McCusker, actor Phil Proctor (voice of Detective Polehaus), actor Shona Rodman (voice of Jules), actor Andre Stojka (voice of Whit), and actor Audrey Wasilewski (voice of Katrina).

Podcast Links:

Read our written farewell to Will from November 2021.

314 Responses

    6. Remember , this is a farewell message to remember Will, maybe we shouldn’t say things like that after someone lovable has passed away.

      1. Hmm…Eowyn, Eomer, or Gandalf. It’s super hard to pick a favorite! What about you?

    1. Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten top ten! But in all seriousness, this is really sad!! We will miss him lot! Also…AIO, are you ever going to make any new adventure in odyssey episodes? If so, who will you hire to play Eugene?

      1. I miss Eugene šŸ˜¢ and The funny cop šŸ˜­
        What a sweet farewell podcast
        (And I miss Will)

    2. I agree. I am going to miss Eugene and Will Ryan alot. Farewell Will Ryan!

  9. Has anyone seen the new meteorite mayhem page?? I thought that it was supposed to come out this month

    1. I saw it and it looked really coolšŸ˜Ž. I can’t wait to see what is gonna happen

    1. I like Keeper of the Lost Cities to. But I have only read books 1-6 so I need to finish them this summer. I am excited for the new book to come out, are you?

        1. Oh! I really hope so!!
          I think that theyā€™re making a movie also.
          Iā€™ll miss Will Ryan. šŸ˜¢
          I hope the next podcast episode tells us what their plans are.

  42. Please excuse my lack of exclamation points, I can’t do that today. Goodbye, Will Ryan, and best wishes to the AIO team. May they produce a suitable “farewell, Eugene” episode come Album 75. Revelation 21:4; Lamentations 3:21-23.

  49. When Eugene accepted Christ, Hal (Mr. Whitaker) had already passed, but you included Whit in that episode. You can do the same with Eugene on the 1000th episode. Also, it would be the best thing ever if you compiled a CD or three of Will and Hal’s music for sale. I loved hearing them.

  50. I am so sorry about Will Ryan. I have always loved Adventures in Odyssey ever since I was little. I will keep Mr. Ryanā€™s family forever in my prayers. Thank you for everything you do at AIO.

  56. Will Ryan was a great actor. You don’t realize until you listen to the podcasts how much fun he was.

  65. Although I never got to meet Will Ryan, this podcast made me teary eyed. He has always felt like family. Iā€™ve grown up with Eugene in my house since I was 9 and now I canā€™t wait to meet him in Heaven!

    1. This is kinda random and you probably won’t even see it, but are you the Johanna that was on a podcast a while back, and Dave Arnold (I think) complemented your voice?

  66. Will you be bringing back Amy and josh from best laid plans please put it on a podcast and I have one more question why is your group that lets you try out for odyssey so much money I’d really like it if you would lower the price down maybe $200 instead of $1300 please that would really help me I want to become a voice actor for aio radio show.

  68. I gotta prepare myself before I listen to this. I know it’s going to be so bittersweet. You all always do beautiful tribute podcasts. <3 Will Ryan will always be Eugene Meltsner.

  70. It turns out, you can really miss someone youā€™ve never even metā€¦.
    Iā€™m not sure whether to hope that Eugene in some way stays in Odyssey, (maybe is transferred to Africa) or that they donā€™t even try to find an actor that sounds like him, because Will Ryan is altogether irreplaceable!

  78. I am very sorry that will Ryan has left us and Eugene whatā€™s my favorite character so RIP rest in peace ā˜®ļø Ryan

  84. Amazing podcast AIO!! Really well done!!
    We will definitely all miss will! He will and always be remembered!ā™„ļø

  88. I have been in love with Adventures In Odyssey since my freshman year at Oral Roberts University in 1990.

    The impact of the Gospel of Jesus Christ being shared through relatable stories and characters is still with me today and my Family.

    Our condolences to Mr. Ryan’s Family and Friends. Eugene’s voice was unmistakable.

  89. I know that Kim not fist, but I just want to say;
    Hi everyone!
    TRQ
    Who is your favorite voice actor (or actress) on AIO?

  90. did any one elses power go out in the last few days due to a very bad storm?ours did and was out for 2 whole days

  91. You will be sadly missed Will, listen to Adventure in Odyssey every evening for years and I can say you bring a lot of humor to the story. Thanks Will, you are a Character.

  94. Will Ryan was ā€œtop drawerā€ in his creative personality, imagination and skill. Praise God for the gifts he was given! They will never be able to replace him. So sorry to hear of his passing.

  97. What a loving tribute….feels like we have lost a friend after being longtime listeners of Adv in Odyssey… RIP Will aka Eugene….yr voice will be missed mightily by all who love this wonderful program for families!

  99. I loved the character Eugene. After listening to podcast, I know what Will was like now.
    I could describe him with so many words such as wonderful, friendly, or funny. Iā€™m going to miss Will, Eugene, Harlow, and others. Iā€™m just sorry that He wonā€™t be apart of the 1000 episode. I hope that you get a Eugene. But you canā€™t find another Will. Bye Will

  100. I already miss Will Ryan. He was ever a welcome presence in my home, car and church. We were doing a youth camp car wash at church when the episode about his conversion aired. As I washed cars, I wept like a baby because a man so hard against Christianity surrendered to His Lord. I will never forget the impact that episode has had on me.

  101. ā€œTo be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord!ā€ Enjoy Jesus Brother Will Ryan, (Eugene)! You will be missedā€¦ However, you are in a better placešŸ™šŸ¾

  103. AAAAAAAWWWWWW!!! I will miss will Ryan! He is irreplaceable!!ā¤ā¤ā¤

  106. he was such a great voice actor. Very big shoes to fill if there are any future Eugenes. God bless

  107. Sooo inspiring. I wish I could have met him! As soon as I learned that he passed, (It was right before church) I cried. I never knew him, but I felt that loss because he put so much of himself into Eugene and Harlow. You will be missed

    1. Thatā€™s what exactly happened to me, it was right before church and I wanted to cry!

  111. I am really sad knowing Will passed away. I love how Eugene had a long road to becoming a Christian. I also love how Eugene met Katrina and the long story line with them two. I have listened to Odyssey practically all my life. I get a little choked up every time I listen to old episodes of Odyssey and hear Will Ryan knowing he is with Jesus now. It will be interesting to see what you guys will do with the character. I always see myself as a Eugene type person.

    1. I also am getting kinda choked up even as I type this. I also sorta see myself as a Eugene type of person. But definitely not as smart as he is.

  113. Thank you, Will Ryan, for being a part of Adventures in Odyssey and playing such great and well loved character.

  114. This made me cry. It was so amazing to see all he did. He inspired me to do so much! I am glad that he is with are lord. Will Ryan you will forever be in are hearts.

  117. I heard this, and saw Will in a new way and wished I could of met him.
    Such a fun guy and an amazing voice actor and storyteller.

  126. hey everybody what are your top 5 favorite episodes. mine are…..
    Tornado!
    for the birds
    clutter
    the labyrinth 1 2 3
    find a penny 1 2

    1. That is really hard and now I can’t recall ep. names. But I really like the Nova com Saga and all of the episodes in it.

  127. have you ever noticed that from album 1 to 51 you cant see eugenes eyes until he gets his hair cut in “For the birds“

  139. I have a question for everybody, What was your favorite episode with Will Ryan/Eugene in it?

    My favorite was probably in As Buck Would Have It.

    1. Thatā€™s a hard question! I loved Eugene in The Mystery of the Clock Tower and Playing the Predictable. As Buck Would Have It was amazing, too. Both Eugene and Katrina were incredible in that.
      Harlow Doyle was also a fantastic character. All of his scenes are hilarious. The clip of him interrupting Chrisā€™s wrap-up in the podcast had me cracking up!

  143. I loved this podcast! Gonna miss Will Ryan for sure! It sounds like yā€™all have a lot of fun in the studio! Would love to just watch and hear yā€™all produce an episode (be there in person)! God bless yā€™all for all yā€™all do!

  144. This is sad. Especially since I met Will. And Katie Leigh. And my grandma went to college with Andre Stojka. So yeah.

  145. my favorite epesode with Eugene in it when Eugene screams on the tilt n whirl in the ties that bind series ( at least i think it is the ties that bind )

  146. Oh my congrats I am first!
    And LOTRgeek you where one minute, so exciting. And so sad šŸ˜­ about Will Ryan. One of my favorite characters.

  147. Hey everyone! I know I said that I was going to take a break and I am but I wanted to pop in really quick to request that you all go to the Buckles page to see the prayer requests that some have left there. They are by about 4 posters. Look in the beginning of when the OOOTD page took over.

    TBC

  149. That was such a sweet tribute!! Will Ryan was such a fun, clever, and talented person. Eugene is also my favorite character. I miss him too, but I will never forget him. ā¤ļø

    May his soul rest in peace.

  151. He was always one of my favorite actors.. šŸ˜” I heard that he passed away from somebody else, but I never really imagined he did. Aww.

  154. hey guys do you have a dog i have a dog.
    a pug named Luna šŸ¶
    (full name ) Luna maria sanchez guadaluepe the 3rd

  160. This podcast made me cry so hard! I am so sad that I never got to meet him. He has made such a big impact on my life. I became a Christian after hearing Eugene believe, and that is the best decision I have ever made. I can’t wait to someday see him in heaven

  163. Hello everyone! By the way I am girl Jordan, not a boy Jordan. I ā¤ļø Adventures in odyssey! It is my favorite part of the day.

  164. I was like 100th. Summer is really crazy šŸ˜œ, all the time. And Spidergirl/gwen why didnā€™t you get first.

  165. btw i am now changing my name to just lexi just so you all know:)

  167. One of the last lines in the Novacom Saga is ā€œthis is over; for nowā€¦ā€ šŸ¤”šŸ˜±

  168. I love Will Ryan Iā€™m sad that heā€™s leaving Adventures in Odyssey.šŸ„²

  173. did any of you see that the Whit Nominee contest prize is a Yearā€™s AIOC membership?

  174. Aww, this podcast was so sweet. šŸ„¹ I cried after I read the article about Will Ryanā€™s passing. It sounds like he was a wonderful person.

  176. Rest in peace. I’m pretty sure he died of cancer. That’s what Google told me, anyways. He was a legend. He will indubitably forever have a spot in my heart. Anyways can someone talk or write like ugene? We are hopefully getting kittens tomorrow.

  177. This is also my first time on here. Please be safe, kind, and be smart what you say

  178. I hopefully will post a lot. My time it is 11 o’clock exactly

  180. So hi guys whatā€™s up? I know I havenā€™t commented in a while but thatā€™s because weā€™re planning on moving to Missouri
    We have a house and property on a lake there but weā€™re hoping to remodel and make renovations on the house because my mom doesnā€™t like it and it is pretty ugly. We probably wonā€™t move for a couple months yet but Iā€™ll give updates tbc

  181. Cont
    Sorry this is so long but itā€™s taking up more the. I thought and I canā€™t stop now. Anyways I didnā€™t want this to be this lengthy sermon so sorry about that but I just need some prayer and I hope we can get this all sorted out soon cuz itā€™s a mess right now with relatives fleeing Ukrainia and stuff but thatā€™s all god bless

  182. So sad about Will Ryan šŸ˜„. Also could you guys pray for me? My sister has covid.

  183. these 4 days were awesome!
    i went camping at Anoka and went to bunker beach.
    and i got the perfect tan
    summer is AWESOME

  184. Hi i Found odyssey! i think the town of Millersburg OH is just like odyssey! it has a Victorian style house! it also has a town near by that i think of as connal’sville! go check it out it’s about have way between clombus and akron!

    1. Wow, do you want to be friend?šŸ˜‚ I will think that is so awesome that you knew someone so inspiring.

  186. Wow, I was literally one minute from getting first lol! That’s so weird but kind of cool!

  187. Thank you Will Ryan for being a blessing to me and my family. We love you and will miss you terribly. Eugene was the perfect character for you and you played him well. your voice was amazing and your talent miraculous.

    1. Hi there! Thank you for all of your encouragement and love! I hope that you are doing well!

      There is a small update about me on the OOOTD page if you are interested!

      Thank you, Sister!

  188. who likes dogs and what type of dog do you have
    top 4 favorite dog breeds
    1.pug
    2.beagle
    3.bulldog
    4.chiwawa

    1. My top three favorite dog breeds are:
      1. Labrador Retriever
      2. Golden Retriever
      3. German Shepherd

      I have 2 dogs:
      1. A 5 year old Labradorable Retriever (who’s pretty much my mom’s dog)
      2. A German Labmaraner, which is a German Shepherd, Weimaraner, and Labrador mix. (She’s pretty much my dog)

      1. My top 5 favorite dog breeds are:
        Labrador Retriever
        Jack Russell
        German Shepherd
        Golden Retriever
        Flat-coated Retriever

    2. My fav dog breeds are
      Dauchsands (their so cute)
      Akitas (very pretty and loyal)
      Bulldogs(their so funny )
      Mastiffs (very loving clumsy )
      Rottweilers (good family dogs and cool looking)
      Great Piranese (so floofy)
      St Bernards (very big and gentle)
      I know thatā€™s a lot but thatā€™s only my top 7

  189. Yeah I would like to be ur friend!! And if u want to know some stories, just say so.šŸ˜€

  191. I love Australian Shepards and Border Collies. My family owns a boxer lab mix and she is adorable!!!!!!

  192. They need to find another Eugene. The show wouldn’t be complete without him… When I found out he died, I was like: Wait… WHAT? Why him?!

  193. My Fav Dog Breeds…
    1. Red Labrador Retriever
    2. Miniature Snachure
    3. Golden Retriever
    4. Border Collie

  195. 1. Golden retriever/golden lab=šŸ˜ lol
    2.beagel
    3. German Shepard
    4. montain dog
    Our dog is great too! His name is duke heā€™s ashback,mearma,torneyak all in one! And ADORABLE šŸ˜!!!
    Also great with kids!
    We always wanted a dog and then in 2020 we got him! Heā€™s so cute! Really big though…any one else have a dog??
    Also great question banana šŸŒ!!

    1. I have an American Akita and he is really huge!
      Heā€™s very patient and tolerant tho and he doesnā€™t bite or growl heā€™s super friendly and doesnā€™t bark a whole lot

  196. I’m so sad that Will Ryan died! I’m going to miss Eugene so muchšŸ˜ŸšŸ˜¢šŸ˜­.

    1. Cool username!!!! Do you like Hulvey? He’s a really good rapper. One of my favorites.

      1. YOU KNOW HULVEY TOOā‰ I love his music! I’m the only one out of my friends that listens to his music. What’s your favorite song by him?

        1. I like the song Back In The Wick. I also like the songs he’s featured on like Live Forever by 116, and Glorify by Jordan Feliz feat. Leacre. Both of those songs Hulvey raps on. I’m the only one out of my friends that listens to his music also.

          1. I LOVE Back in the Wick! My favorite song is probably 9th Grade (especially since I’m going into 9th grade). Have you heard We Against the World?

  198. Thank you will Ryan for being out smart and great Eugene. we will miss you so much! You were greatly loved and appreciated!ā¤ļø AIO will never find anyone as great as you as Eugene!

    ~Jules

    1. Sleeping in late
      Color
      Have sleepovers
      Stay up late
      Watch movies
      Shop
      Go to the beach
      Read
      Take naps
      Craft
      Make things
      Go places with friends
      Compose music on my piano

    2. Um
      ~ reading
      ~ going to the lake
      ~ camping
      ~ water ballon fights
      ~ going bear foot!šŸ˜
      ~ going photo shoting
      ~ sleep overs
      ~sleeping in late
      ~ Bouncing on the trampoline with dish soap and the sprinkler on! (Donā€™t do if young age! really slippery!)
      ~sleeping on the trampoline! Itā€™s so much fun! And east star gazing!TBC

    3. None of my fams birthdays are in summer except moms (hers is in July) so we donā€™t have stuff like that but if your birthday is in the summer or one of your brothers or sisters or parents is make the most of it!us winter babyā€™s want so badly for our birthdays to be in the summer…šŸ˜”
      Hope that helps pray šŸ™šŸ»! Have a blessed summer all!šŸŒ¤

  201. Dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I have a boxer/lab. She is so cute, when my brother was younger he would pull her tail. She was so sweet.
    But she licks like crazy.

  205. Is anyone here a member of the Civil Air Patrol? If so, would you please tell me its pros/cons? Thanks!

  208. It’s so sad that Will Ryan passed away. What’s going to happen to Eugene.

    Has anyone ever read all of Louisa May Alcott “Little Women”. There are 4 of them. The 1st is ok, my favorite is the 3rd one. The 4th is my least favorite, but they are you good.

    What are some of yalls favorite book series I would love to know.

    Can’t wait for album 73šŸ˜†

    1. I love books by Sharon M. Draper, Angela Hunt, and Karen Kingsbury…Do you like to read? I LOVE reading!!!šŸ˜

  209. I have a lab retriever with some German Shepherd in her. Sheā€™s five years old.

  210. Is anyone here going to help with vacation bible school this summer šŸ˜˜šŸ˜I am

  211. We used to have a Yorkshire terrier but he died a few years ago. So right now we are getting 3 kittens! Their names are Darcy, Bennett, and Jane after Jane(get it?) Austens Pride and Prejudice

  212. If you have any prayer requests please come share it on the prayer page. It is located on the What Is the Name of Album 73?ā€¦ page.

  213. Jenny that sounds awesome!
    I wish I could go but family vacations, you know. I hope we go to the beach. Ful of šŸŒ“and šŸ–and šŸŒŠ.

  214. I love ā¤ļø doing šŸ©°andšŸŽØand šŸŽ¹and. And gardeningšŸŒ·.

    SORRY for all the emojis!

  215. Whew šŸ˜° itā€™s sooooo hot here
    Weā€™re in the middle of a GIANT heat wave!
    Itā€™s like 90 degrees out and weā€™re all sitting in front of the fan which is on full blast
    My hands are sweaty alll the time and I have 5 mosquito bites!

  216. Hi there! I asked for prayer on the Buckles pageā€¦I lost my parents and my baby twin siblings a few weeks ago!
    Thanks to those of you who prayed and encouraged me! Iā€™m not completely sure what Iā€™ll be doing in the future but I know that the Lord does!
    I am currently working a job and taking care of my younger siblings. Thatā€™s about it! Bye.

  217. šŸ„CowgirlšŸ„!
    I love little women, I did a play of it!
    I was Meg, we didnā€™t have any boys so a girl had to be it. She was the most manly out of.

    1. Sorry about that sentence, I mean:
      We had no boys so my sister was Laurie.

  218. Hey cowgirl
    Thereā€™s a book page on ā€œAudrey Stoika on whitā€ if youā€™re interested šŸ˜ please spread the word….

  219. I don’t know what they plan to do after this; there doesn’t seem to be a way to move on. Other than the old excuse, Eugine became a Missionary in Nigeria. I hope they will figure it out and find the best way for Will to have his best legacy. Farwell Will Ryan!

  220. Will Ryan was such a huge part of the love and joy that Odyssey was and is to so many people. He was a shining light in a dark world, and will be so dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. I pray that he is now enjoying the glories of heaven with his Lord and Savior. Odyssey wonā€™t be quite the same without Eugene Meltsner.

  222. Singing through fire your back! Iā€™m so happy to hear your doing better! How many younger siblings do you have?

  223. @ Singing Through Fire

    Is it okay if I tell the people on the prayer page about what is going on so they can pray for you too?

  224. I think they will still have a Eugene Meltsner he will probably get a new voice bc they couldnā€™t let him go now buck just got an official dad.but I get you brenna!

  225. We will miss you Will Ryan! You are irreplaceable!ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤

  227. Will Ryan is like, my hero. I love to hear him sing…this is so sad! But he’s still making me laugh even on the show about his memory! How can this even go on??? You cannot replace Will! We’ll never forget you-or your music- Oddessy will never be the same.

  228. We will miss you so much will!! You were the greatest and funniest person on the show!

  231. Everyone name their favorite aio character! And also, has anyone read the Happy Hollisters by Jerry West?

  232. Um buck,Jules,Tom Riley, jack and Joanne,whit,eugen,Katrina,Mitch,Olivia,JayAnd Barrett

    Yes Iā€™ve read them donā€™t like them though…..

    Bye will!! Ill miss you!!šŸ˜¢šŸ˜­

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