Ralph J. Ibson

Ralph J. Ibson, a longtime advocate for veterans and mental health, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 17th, 2024. He battled glioblastoma for five months with courage and dignity. His family would like to thank all of his caregivers, including the oncology team, Capital Caring Hospice, and Capital City Nurses.

Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife Julie and is survived by his wife Lizann, his second wife Susan, and their daughter Zoe (Bela), his daughter Miriam (Kevin), son Jonah (Sarah), and grandchildren Julianne, Elliott, Noa, and Lev.

He was born on April 19th, 1945 in New York City, the only child of Rose and Kurt Ibson, Holocaust survivors and refugees from Germany. His parents worked hard to build a life of warmth, care, safety, and opportunity despite the trauma that all of their family had endured. Ralph grew up in Kearny, New Jersey playing stickball, having adventures in the neighborhood, cooking up mischief with his science kit in the basement, and excelling in the local spelling bee.

Ralph attended Tufts University where he met his first wife Julie. They were married in August of 1967 and went on to have two children, Miriam and Jonah, starting a new life in Columbia, Maryland. With the draft looming, Ralph enlisted and served in the U.S. Army as a Public Affairs Specialist, and then earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His legal career spanned over three decades including serving as Deputy Assistant General Counsel for the Veterans Administration, Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Health of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Vice President for Government Affairs for the National Mental Health Association, and National Policy Director for the Wounded Warrior Project. Throughout his career, Ralph was admired by colleagues for his tireless advocacy on behalf of veterans, his encyclopedic knowledge of healthcare issues, his modesty and politeness, and his dedication to helping others in need.

In 1992, Ralph’s wife Julie died suddenly. He met his second wife, Susan Baron, and they had a beautiful daughter Zoe in 1995. Although their marriage ended, they maintained a relationship throughout their lives. In 2008, Ralph met his wife Lizann Schloff. For over a decade, they enjoyed building a life together in their home in Washington, DC. They married in 2018. Ralph transitioned away from his career as an advocate and eased into a characteristically productive and rich retirement.

Ralph loved being in nature, listening to music, and playing and singing in The Sunshine Gang Band. He also enjoyed reading and discussing good literature, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He loved the peacefulness of casting a fishing line out into a lake at dusk, the challenge of learning a new song on the guitar, and the heartwarming satisfaction of helping new Americans learn English and pursue job opportunities. He was an excellent writer and enjoyed using language to create policy, express his political views and support candidates running for office. He kept in touch with relatives near and far, documented his family story, and captured memories for posterity. A piece he wrote in retirement tells the story of a week spent at Lizann’s family cabin in Wisconsin and demonstrates his power with a pen. His description of battling a trout takes on new significance in light of his battle with cancer:

"I felt the trout surge, and tensed to the thrill of battle. I knew I’d release the fish once I’d landed it, but that was for later. With my opponent now lunging downstream and my fly rod bent sharply, I worked deliberately. Let it run a bit, then reel in a few feet of line, while maintaining taut pressure. I repeated the pattern several times. The speckled, gleaming silver-pink of a large rainbow trout came within reach. But as I savored impending victory, my hair-thin tippet suddenly snapped. The trout had won its freedom.

Breathless, momentarily stunned, I remained immobile, and strained through the near darkness for a last glimpse of my fish. It had gotten much cooler, and the last wisps of the “trico” hatch had disappeared. The mad insect love-dance it spawned had ended. The “chop-chop” bursts of trout breaking, even leaping above, the stream’s surface to swallow tiny flies had given way to the calming babble of rippling water.

I’d expected to land the fish, to admire it. But other forces were also at play. It wasn’t the ending I’d scripted, but it somehow felt right. "

Services will be held on Aug. 21, 2024, at The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, Maryland starting promptly at 11:00 a.m. For those unable to attend, the service will be streamed live using this link: https://venue.streamspot.com/23039b31

First night of Shiva will be on Wednesday August 21 at 7:00 pm at Miriam's home. Details to be provided at the service. Second night of Shiva will be on Thursday August 22nd at 7:00pm at Lizann and Ralph's home, 4441 Fessenden St NW, Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum or to Mental Health America.