LTC Ralph “Doc” G. Leigh, U.S. Army, Special Forces (Retired), MD passed away in Portland, Maine on February 17, 2026 at the age of 81 after a brief battle with cancer. He had recently moved from Florida to Maine to be close to his son, Heinz Leigh, daughter-in-law Molly Dugas, and grand-pup Luna.
Ralph was born on December 28, 1944, in Piura, Peru, to Juana Luisa Vargas Colonna and Henry Hilton Leigh Morales. At 17-years-old, he immigrated to the United States alongside his parents and they settled in California. Ralph was then drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as a combat medic from 1967-68, which led to a 26-year career in the military, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Upon returning from Vietnam, he pursued a medical degree at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and completed his residency at St. Louis University. His medical career spanned over 50 years specializing in pathology and emergency medicine.
Ralph retired from the military in 1993 and settled down in Farmington, Missouri where he was an active member of the Shriners, Elks, Amvets, Masonic Lodge, and VFW while working as an Emergency Room Doctor in several local hospitals until he retired in 2021. After retiring, Ralph desired a warmer climate and moved to sunny Clearwater, Florida.
Ralph lived an extraordinary, fearless life dedicated to helping others. He was known for his passion for medicine, respect for the military, flashy fashion sense, stubborn nature, love of hunting and fishing, good sense of humor, and fondness of a fancy meal accompanied by a stiff drink. He leaves behind many dear friends and family members across the globe who will miss him deeply and think of him often.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Edelmira Caceres. He is survived by his son, Heinz Leigh and wife Molly Dugas; daughter Jennifer Leigh; stepson Mark Castleberry and wife Christina, their children Mason, Evan, and Lane; brother Hugh Leigh and wife Susana, their children Laura Chrastil, Gustavo Leigh, and Paola Leigh; niece Margaret Caceres.
A celebration of life will be held on April 19th at VFW Post 10093 in Safety Harbor, Florida at 1:00 PM. If you have any cherished memories or pictures with Ralph you’d like to share, please feel free to email his son Heinz at [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Green Beret Foundation (https://greenberetfoundation.org/mission/).
