

Ralph Romans Westfall (83) of Mountain Brook, AL formerly of Vienna, VA passed away on December 14, 2013.Ralph was born in Brooklyn, NY on the 19th of September 1930 to Ralph Raymond Westfall and Olive Belle Willis Westfall. He was a graduate of Brooklyn Polyprep in Brooklyn, NY and of Colgate University. He received a master’s degree in Middle Eastern studies from Johns Hopkins School of International Studies with oral language qualifications in Arabic and Russian. Ralph also spoke fluent French and was proficient in several other languages. These language skills served him well in the gathering and disseminating of information as a senior Central Intelligence Agency Information Officer who was stationed in Europe and West and North Africa. This included years spent abroad in Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal; Casablanca, Morocco; and Paris, France to name a few. Ralph served 22 years in the CIA and upon his retirement was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal for service during his entire career with the agency. After leaving the agency, Ralph worked in the mortgage banking business for several years until he was called back into government service by FINCEN (the Financial Crimes enforcement Network of the United States Treasury Department) to once again track “the bad guys” only this time it was by computer. At the age of 70, when most people would be thinking about retiring, he was recruited and pressed into service by a combined FBI/CIA task force where he worked until he retired at age 80.
Ralph was predeceased by his parents, his sister Margaret and three wives, Betty Pearce Swenson, Eugenia Drane Westfall, and Linda Leatherland Westfall. He is survived by his son, Ralph Pearce Westfall (Beverly) and his grandson James Pearce Westfall (Shea); stepsons Jim Birch (Diane) and Michael Birch (Lori) and step grandchildren, Emma, Sara, Jimmy, Nick, Alex, Kyle, and Kate.as well as the numerous “adopted” children and grandchildren who adored him. Ralph’s joys were his beloved family and working to protect his country.
A reception honoring Ralph will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at Ridout’s Valley Chapel beginning at 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite church or charity.
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