Ralph Edward Maxwell

Ralph Edward Maxwell, age 74, of Falls Church, Virginia passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2022. Ralph was born December 2, 1947. A native of California, Ralph moved to the Washington, DC area in 1968 as a seminary student at the Marist College to study organ music and performance at Catholic University of America where he received a B.M. in Organ Performance. Ralph was a life-long musician who played organ and piano and he also was an excellent singer. He was an active member of the American Guild of Organists for over 30 years and had a leading roll in the 2003 AGO Regional Convention held in northern Virginia. Ralph’s faith was always an important part of his life. He grew up in Roman Catholic church. After he recieved his degree in music, he was organist at St. Bernadette in Springfield, Virginia and then later at Sleepy Hollow Methodist Church in Falls Church, Virginia for many years until he retired from playing organ in 2008. He continued teaching piano lessons for many years at Foxes Music Company in Falls Church. He later attended the Arlington Church of the Brethren where his husband Andy Price has been Music Director for many years and where their official marriage was celebrated. Ralph became active in chuch leadership there and his roles in the Arlington Church of the Brethren included music, fellowship, teaching adult Sunday school, chairing a commission on education. Ralph Ralph was predeceased by his parents Maxine Brandt and Edward Maxwell, his aunt Rita Brandt, his uncle Eugene Maxwell, and his brother Stephen Maxwell. He is survived by his husband and and partner of 45 years Andy Price, as well as his nieces and nephews and their childern - Maxine Maxwell and Sean Kite and their children Antonia, Zane, and Erik; Steven and Amber Maxwell and their son Logan; Laura Maxwell and her children Johnny, Lilian, Isabella and Scheiler; Robin Groen; Andrew and Stephanie Bedenbaugh and their children Grace and Jacob, Melanie and Patrick Hawkins, and their children Claire and Benjamin; and also many friends from a life well lived. A memorial service to honor his life was held on July 23, 2022 at The Arlington Church of the Brethren. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-fh.com for the Maxwell family.