Ralph Howard Kemmerer

Kemmerer, Ralph Howard a World War II veteran, of Dayton, OH passed away on Saturday, April 25th, 2009. He was 88 years old. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Anne Hagemann Kemmerer, his son Fritz Kemmerer, and his parents Beatrice and Earl Kemmerer. Mr. Kemmerer is survived by his son, John Howard Kemmerer and his wife, Paula; his daughter Jane Kemmerer Ridall and her husband John; and his daughter Anne Walter Lenhoff and her husband Steve. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Cammie Anne Kemmerer, Cortney Hinton, Kristi Snow, Carrie Kemmerer, Andy Ridall, Laura Torbert, Jenni Ridall, Danny Walter and Michael Walter as well as four great grandchildren, Anzley Kemmerer, Adam Snow, Noah Hinton and McKenzie Hinton. Mr. Kemmerer was born and raised in Chillicothe, Ohio. He matriculated from The Ohio State University, where he was a four-year member of the Ohio State band and president of the Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity. Ralph worked for the Mead Corporation from 1945 until his retirement in the early 1980s; he held the position of Corporate Director of Community Relations and was highly regarded by the press during a sensitive time in Mead's history. He was the Choir Director of The First United Methodist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee from 1962 to 1968. He was also the President of the Kingsport Rotary. Mr. Kemmerer served in the United States Navy during World War II as an ensign and then as a Lieutenant, commanding an LCI in the South Pacific. He was a devoted husband, dedicated family man, talented pianist, gifted composer, and skilled craftsman. His family and friends will always remember him for his unending love and care for his wife, Anne, who suffered from Alzheimers in her final years, his devotion to family, quiet dignity and determination, big heart, and charming smile. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 4th, 2009 in the Grand Room of the Village Center at Bethany Lutheran Village on 6441 Far Hills Avenue. Visitation begins at 11:00 AM; the service will commence at noon, immediately followed by a reception. If desired, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420, or to the Alzheimer's Association of Atlanta, 1925 Century Blvd. NE #10, Atlanta, Georgia 30345. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.