Dr. Ralph Gavino Pumaren

“The Candyman” I was born in Manila, Philippines. As a small boy, I saw the many horrible tragedies of war on our people and country. During the war our schools were closed, so my sister taught me to read. At age 12, my father sent me to work setting pins in a bowling alley. I would rather have been doing my school work. I had to walk home in the dark. It was a long walk and I had to rest halfway. I would rather have been doing my school work. We lived in a project and I was the leader of the street gang. I bandaged my hands before the fights so my mother wouldn’t know. I had many friends. We played basketball in the streets. That skill helped me in college and medical school even though I was just a bench warmer. With ten dollars in my pocket, I flew to Washington, DC for further medical studies. During the war in Vietnam, I served as an Army physician. I came to Richmond, Virginia to study anesthesiology at MCV. After my studies, I chose to work in the Panama Canal Zone at Gorgas Hospital. There I met my blue-eyed Minnesota girl, Elaine. We returned to the States and have lived in Richmond for the past 30 years. I have met many wonderful people playing tennis, roaming the aisles at Costco and attending my church. But the most important thing is that throughout my whole life the Good Lord has always watched over me. Arrangements by Woody Funeral Home. The service will be at Shady Grove UMC in Short Pump at 3:00 PM on May 9, 2024. In lieu of flowers, please honor Ralph with a donation to "Wounded Warrior Project" or "Tunnels To Towers".