Ralph Flaugher

Ralph R. Flaugher Sr. passed away peacefully at Sherwood Oaks, his residence in Cranberry Township on Nov. 17, 2023 at the age of 102. Ralph was a longtime North Hills resident. He lived on Marmion Drive from 1954 till 2016.

He was born on July 27, 1921 in New Castle Pa, the oldest of 8. He spent his adolescence playing guitar and singing as part of the musical duo “The Melody Boys”. He, along with his Childhood friend Ottie Smith, traveled the eastern United States as guests of ministers in the Nazarene Church.

He attended Eastern Nazarene College before enlisting in the Army Air Corps at the beginning of WWII. He was sent to officer training school and served as a 1rst lieutenant, communication specialist in China and India.

After the war he attended Westminster College and eventually went on to earn a masters degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.

After graduation he worked in a variety of positions, initially for the VA hospital counseling veterans then for US Steel in Commercial research and finally as an assistant in Mayor Pete Flaherty’s office. After retirement from there, he worked for Federated investors until the age of 85.

He married Helen Williams of New Castle in 1950. They were married until her death in 2015. They had their first child Ralph R. Flaugher Jr. in 1951 followed by a daughter Carol (Flaugher) Krena in 1954.

His love of music continued throughout his life and encompassed all genres. He played classical guitar into his 90’s and was a longtime member of the Pittsburgh Guitar Society. He still attended the Pittsburgh Symphony concerts until age 101. He got a banjo for his 95th birthday which began his exploration of “Old Time” clawhammer style playing.

Deeply engaged in life, his interests included following politics, reading 1-2 political books a week and photography in addition to his lifelong passion for music. He was also an avid golfer until the age of 100.

Ralph was predeceased in death by his parents, his wife of 65 years, his brother Harold Flaugher and sisters Virginia Thompson, Alma Cioffi, and Thelma DeCaprio.

In addition to his children he leaves his son-in-law of 50 years, John Krena, sisters Dorothy Kennedy of New Castle, Florence Ayers of Cranberry Pa and brother Joseph Flaugher of NJ and many nieces and nephews.

He left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to be in his life.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00pm to 8:00 PM at the H. P. Brandt Funeral Home, 1032 Perry Hwy. Pittsburgh, PA 15237.