Ralph Stanley Magnus

Ralph was born to Barnett and Eva Magnus of Brooklyn, New York in 1930. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in 1953 and a Master’s degree from Mississippi State University in 1975. Ralph was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in 1956 and enjoyed a 28-year career as a naval aviator. He was a veteran of the Vietnam war with 158 combat missions in the F4 Phantom with his beloved VF-102. Ralph also worked as a teacher, professor, and a defense contractor. He was a Red Cross volunteer for 10 years after he retired, including spending months in New York city as a volunteer after September 11th.

Ralph was an outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He was an avid baseball and softball player as well as being a coach and umpire for youth baseball. Ralph was a world traveler and adventurer, going on numerous trips around the globe exploring nature and enjoying wildlife.

Ralph was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gloria and his son, Steve.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Alberta Gearhart; daughters, Fran and Lisa; sons, Cliff and Scott; nieces, Ronnie and Barbara; first cousins, Bob and Anita; grandchildren, Chris, Ezra, Rivkah and Sarah and numerous cousins.

Ralph will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 1:00pm.