David C. Ralston

David Cornell Ralston was born May 6, 1930 in Beloit, WI, growing up in Roscoe, IL. He died January 15, 2020 in his home in Fairfax, VA. He and his brother Harold Ralston (Racine, WI) graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana, IL in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, specializing in soil and water conservation and mechanical engineering respectively. David received a Masters Degree from U. of Illinois in Civil Engineering. David entered the military service soon after with overseas service in South Korea. His professional career was spent working for the Soil Conservation Service (now Natural Resources Conservation Service) for 38 years, ending as the chief design engineer for the organization. His service to the federal agency included designing and providing oversight of flood control projects and providing dam safety evaluations for the Great Plains, Mid-Atlantic and Western regions of the country. He was also involved in developing training programs for engineers within the agency. Outside of his professional career, David was an avid gardener at both his home and at his church, Fairfax Presbyterian Church. At the church, he coordinated and worked on the Glebe landscaping project. David excelled at sports throughout his life, particularly baseball, and basketball. His later sport pursuits included senior volleyball and softball (pitching and outfield), playing until 2015 when he felt he could no longer play up to his standard. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Margaret S. Ralston, four children Roger (Lisa), Peter, Barbara (Paul) and Andrew (Shannon), one granddaughter Grace, three brothers (Larry, Harold and Duane and their spouses), one sister (Mary Jane Alexander) and many nieces and nephews. Donations in his name may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org) or to Fairfax Presbyterian Church. Services will be held at 11:00 am on January 24, 2020 at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. Refreshments will be provided following in the Church’s Narthex.