- Date Of Birth: June 11, 1926
- Date Of Death: December 15, 2010
- State: Indiana
Ralph O. Smith passed away at his home in West Lafayette, Indiana on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, He was born June 11, 1926 in Rensselaer, Indiana, the son of Ralph Raymond and Alice (Owen) Smith. He was a lifetime resident of Rensselaer before moving to West Lafayette earlier this year.
Ralph graduated with the class of 1944 from Rensselaer High School. He attended St. Joseph College in Rensselaer and received his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Hanover College in 1950.
Ralph was a certified public accountant and owned and operated many businesses throughout his career. He served in the United States Army with the 187th Glider Infantry as a paratrooper from 1944-1946.
Ralph was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rensselaer, the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Hanover College and a past member of the Rensselaer Rotary. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1953. On July 23, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois Ralph married Donna L. Johnson who survives.
Ralph was a humble, generous, loving man of integrity. He was a father-figure to many who sought his wise counsel. Even in his last moments, he handled himself with characteristic selflessness and grace. We will miss him dearly.
Surviving with his loving wife Donna are two daughters, Michelle (Dr. Nick) Costidakis of Brookston, IN and Kimberly (Jason) Rudder of San Ramon, CA; three grandchildren, Christopher, Micaelah and Avery and 10 brothers and sisters, Stella Groom, Rensselaer, Betty (Harold) Benson, Edmore, MI, Harold Smith, Crescent City, FL, John (Wilma) Smith, Rensselaer, Jeanette (Ernie) Randolph, Rensselaer, Robert (Nancy) Smith, Wheatfield, Floyd (Peggy) Smith, Stone Mountain, GA, Linda Gangsei, Buffalo Center, IA, Larry (Kay) Smith, Sarasota, FL and Nancy Patton, Indianapolis, IN.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.
