Ralph was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 15, 1921, and lived in the city for three years. In 1924 his family moved to the end of the local civilization at the western edge of the Philadelphia suburbs. They attended the local church, Grace Chapel, where Ralph served as usher in his mid-teens. In 1938 he went to Wheaton Academy in Illinois for his senior year of high school. He then went on to Wheaton College in the class of 1943, where the most outstanding student was Billy Graham. His major was physics and he was able to work his way through college in the college laundry and heating plant. The total cost per semester in those days was $297, but the wages were 25 cents an hour!
It was in 1942 at Wheaton that Ralph gave his heart and life to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
After Wheaton, Ralph went to New York University for weather training under a scholarship from the U.S. Weather Bureau. This led to his life work as a weather forecaster with the National Weather Service. He also served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 as an aviation forecaster, mainly in the Pacific. He retired from the Weather Service in 1976.
In 1943 Ralph married Martha Garman of Bellwood, Pennsylvania, who was his brother-in-law’s sister, and to quote Ralph “The most wonderful wife that God ever created”. The Lord blessed them with three wonderful children: David, Darleen, and Deborah, and they started attending Cherrydale Baptist Church in 1947. Martha went to be with our Lord in 1989. Since then, Ralph has served as a deacon in the mid-90’s, worked in the DC/Tape and Radio Ministries, and edited Steve’s messages for WAVA and WJFK for many years, and did odd jobs around the church.
Ralph is survived by two siblings: Edgar and Timothy; his three children, David, Darleen, and Deborah; and nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He thanks everyone at Cherrydale for being his extended family and great friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 6 – 8 PM at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA. Family and friends will gather on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10 AM for a viewing until the time of the funeral service at 11 AM at Cherrydale Baptist Church, 3910 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA. Interment will follow at National Memorial Park, with a reception at the Church afterwards. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.murphyfuneralhomes.com
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