Ralph Joseph Grasso

Ralph was born on February 22, 1939 in Haverhill, Massachusetts to Viola and Anthony Grasso. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts. He continued his education at Albany Medical School, obtaining his medical degree in 1964, specializing in psychiatry. His residency in psychiatry was done at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut from 1965 to 1968.

While in medical school, he met his wife Joan Anne Haponski, whom he knew he was going to marry as soon as he saw her. They were married on August 10th, 1963. Together, they raised two children, Monica Grasso-Seaver and Chris Grasso, as well as their granddaughter Micaela Seaver.

Joan and Ralph had an adventurous life together. They started out in Albany, NY, but soon moved to Hartford, Connecticut for Ralph’s residency. In 1968, they relocated again to Fort Sill, Oklahoma to fulfil Ralph’s duty to the Army. There, he worked as the Chief of Psychiatry from 1968 to 1970. After his service was up, Ralph got a job with State of Colorado Mental Health Department. They first lived in Aurora, but, in 1971, they moved to Boulder and have been here ever since. Ralph started a private practice, Psychiatric Associates, not long after they moved to Boulder. He spent almost 50 years helping people in Boulder, and, at the end of his life, published a book about his work called Metaphysics and Psychiatry.

In his free-time, Ralph loved playing chess, solving Sudoku and Ken-Ken puzzles, going on hikes, listening to jazz and classical music, hunting, and spending time with his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, son Chris and wife Sandy, and granddaughters Riley and Allie Grasso, and Micaela Seaver. He was preceded in death by his daughter Monica and parents.

Ralph truly was a gem of a human being. He was kind-hearted, quick-witted, and incredibly loving. He will be mourned and missed by many. In lieu of flowers, please do something kind for someone – the world needs as much love as it can get.