Ralph Eugene Richter, Jr. (Ric to family) of Columbus, OH was born on November 29, 1944 and passed away January 23, 2024. Ralph was the oldest of four children born to Ralph E. Richter, Sr. and Jane (Lisa) Eliza Myers Richter who predeceased him as does his son, Ralph E. Richter, III (Rick).
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Linda and two cherished daughters, Lee and Andrea. He is also survived by devoted sisters Carolyn Hoagland (Kevin), Lisa Willis (Bill) and Nancy Schramm (Dennis), nephews Rob Richter, Jamie Creamer, Aaron and Paul Schramm and niece Lindsey Schramm McIntyre as well as 3 great nephews and 8 great nieces. Ralph was passionate about his family including his very dear cousins whom he counted more like siblings.
Ralph spent his childhood in Medford Lakes and Medford, NJ and when the family relocated to Dayton, OH, Ralph stayed behind for his senior year with dear family friends (the Demore’s) to fulfill his Lenape High School commitment as Student Council President. Ultimately moving to Oakwood, OH in the spring of his senior year, he graduated from Oakwood High School in 1963 and also walked in the commencement ceremony at Lenape High in Medford, NJ. Ralph’s heart and soul belonged in the pine barons of Medford Lakes in the log cabin resort community where he knew everyone and everyone knew him. He recently celebrated nearly 7 decades of friendship in the summer of 2023 when he returned to his roots to gather with his oldest friends.
Always ready for an adventure, Ralph hitch-hiked across the U.S. after graduation from high school and then financed a passage to Europe by hiring onto a boat to scrub the interior hulls during their trip to Europe. Ralph then worked on the trains in Germany and Italy for one year. He returned to Ohio and attended the Ohio State University in in 1965 and then enrolled in the Army in 1967. He spent four years in the Army working in intelligence in posts around the globe. He was honorably discharged four years later. Ralph was very proud of his service to his country.
Upon discharge, he settled in Columbus, OH and in 1972, he founded the U.S. Cargo and Delivery Service in his garage in German Village. It grew into a regional transportation company under Ralph‘s leadership. He employed those of his old Army buddies who needed work in the early days of Cargo. Many employees remained at Cargo throughout their careers and he counted them as some of his best friends. Ralph retired from the company in July 2022.
Ralph volunteered in many capacities. He worked with Junior Achievement helping high school students develop small businesses during a school year. Ralph worked with Bethlehem on Broad Street for many years, leaving his house at 5 a.m. on Christmas morning to run passenger routes so disadvantaged individuals were able to have a Christmas turkey dinner with all the trimmings. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Columbus Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center for many years and participated in a prison ministry through the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Ralph belonged to many business related organizations in Columbus.
Ralph attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church where he served multiple terms on the vestry, and readily volunteered for any church function. He loved the Lord. He completed a four-year coursed administered by the University of the South, School of Theology entitled Education for Ministry and graduated from the program in 2000.
A service will be held at the St. Stephen’s, 30 W. Woodruff Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024. A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall. Parking is available at the Canon St. Garage located across the street from the church. (Turn onto Canon Drive from W. Woodruff) Parking vouchers will be available at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the church, Mt. Carmel Hospice, 777 W. State St., Columbus OH 43222 or the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center, 1675 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43207.
Funeral arrangements by Advantage by Schoedinger North.
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