Ralph Finch Howe

Born in Utica, N.Y., on June 15, 1916, Ralph Finch Howe Sr. passed away after a brief illness on Friday, Sept. 21, 2007. He broke school records as a varsity swimmer at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., and continued his love of the sport for most of his 91 years. After graduating in 1938, with a degree in chemical engineering, Ralph began work with Standard Oil Development Research Co. in New Jersey, transferring to Baton Rouge in 1941, to become assistant chief chemist in the Chemical Products Lab. He developed a process for synthetic rubber to aid the war effort. Eventually, he became refinery manager of Standard Oil's Baton Rouge Refinery in 1966 and held that position until his retirement in 1977. Ralph served on the board of directors for the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Educational Development Laboratory, YMCA, Salvation Army, Louisiana Industries for the Disabled, Louisiana Chemical Association, Goals for Louisiana, Governor's Committee for Teachers' Salaries, St. James Episcopal Church, St. James Place, Public Affairs Research Council and Junior Achievement as well as chairing the boards of the Baton Rouge General Medical Center and General Health System Foundation. He received the Brotherhood Award of the Conference of Christians and Jews in 1978 and the Excellence in General Award in 1995. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather, he gifted us all with his terrific sense of humor and gentle nature. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Anne Grayson Howe; his four children, Anne Nelson, of Burke, Va., Jane Blackledge and husband Bob, Cynthia Murray and husband Tom, of Huntington, W.Va., and the Rev. Ralph Howe Jr. and wife Suzette; and nine grandchildren, Kate Cordaro and husband Dave, Amanda Lynch and husband Matthew, Ryan Blackledge and wife Meghan, Jennie Porth and husband Brett, Melissa Blackledge, Alyce Howe, Laura Grayson Howe, Joseph Howe and Jeanne Howe. He is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Handwerk, of Springfield, Ill. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25, at St. James Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. in St. James Parish Hall. Pallbearers will be Bob Blackledge, Ryan Blackledge, Dave Cordaro, Grayson Curet, Matthew Lynch, Tom Murray and Brett Porth. Honorary pallbearers are Claiborne Dameron, William Edrington, Charles Garvey, Dr. Richard Grayson and Robert Scheffy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the following: St. James Episcopal Church, 208 N. 4th St., Baton Rouge, LA 70801; St. James Place Foundation, 333 Lee Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; or Solomon Episcopal Conference Center, 54296 La. 445, Loranger, LA 70446. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of the Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Bluebonnet for their kind and attentive care. As Ralph often said to others, his family now lovingly responds to him, "Happy Motoring, Dad!"