A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 3 South Randolph Street, San Angelo. The Reverend Gail Davis, Reverend William Wright, Reverend Celia Ellery, and Pastoral Assistant Reverend Robert Hedges will officiate.
Ralph was born to Ralph Raymond Chase, Sr. and Hildur Sandberg Chase on January 3, 1923 at St. John’s Hospital in San Angelo.
Ralph was among the first students at Santa Rita Elementary School. He prided himself on knowing the school song and would gladly sing it, loudly and off-key, for anyone. He then moved on to San Angelo High School and San Angelo Junior College. He completed his B.A. degree at the University of Texas in 1943. Upon joining the U.S. Navy during World War II, he was assigned to serve in the Civil Engineering Corps and was stationed in the Admiralty Islands as the U.S. planned the invasion of Japan.
Ralph was discharged from the Navy and entered Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 1951.
Dr. Chase received his pediatric training at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. During this time, he met and married Virginia Louise Berg in Kenilworth, Illinois, September 22, 1951. The family moved to San Angelo in 1953. Ralph joined the late Dr. Bob Finks ’pediatric practice at the Clinic Hospital, later to become West Texas Medical Associates and San Angelo Community Medical Center.
Ralph was a member of the American Board of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, Texas Pediatric Society, Concho Valley Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, Tom Green County Historical Society, and West Texas Historical Association.
Honors Dr. Chase received during his career included the American Academy of Pediatrics Citation; Private-Practice Innovator of State Physician Assistant Program, September 1973; Sidney Kaliski Award as Texas Pediatrician of the Year, September 1978; San Angelo Citizen of the Year, January 1989; Distinguished Alumnus, Angelo State University, October 1991; Ralph Chase Day designated by the Mayor and City Council, October 1991; Ralph Chase Children’s Center at Angelo Community Hospital, October 1991; Ralph Chase Annual Lectureship in the Humanities at Angelo State University, established in 1993; Service to Society Award by the Alumni Association of Northwestern University, March 2001.
Survivors include his wife Virginia Chase; children Priscilla Griffis and husband Don of San Angelo; Julia Kinkel and husband Carl of Northborough, Massachusetts; John Chase of Iowa City, Iowa; Sallie Griffis Helms and husband Bill of Houston; grandchildren William Griffis and wife Leslie of Lubbock; James Griffis and wife Lindsay of Fort Worth; Abigail Cox and husband Jason of Atlanta, Georgia; John Griffis of Harrisonburg, Virginia; Elizabeth Kinkel of Washington, D.C.; Virginia Kinkel of Alexandria, Virginia; Caroline Kinkel of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Travis Helms of New Haven, Connecticut; Chase Helms of Atlanta, Georgia; and great-grandchildren Sarah Frances Cox and Chase Griffis.
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Ralph requested that Memorial be made to, Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, Virginia 22116-7058, or a charity of choice.
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