Ralph Glenn Nash, PhD

Ralph passed away peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital of Grand Junction, CO, on March 23, 2022, of respiratory failure. He was the fourth of nine children of Glenn and Irena (Martin) Nash. He grew up on a small irrigated ranch near Del Norte, CO, and graduated from the Del Norte High School in 1948. He attended Adams State College, Alamosa, CO, farmed with his parents for two years, and served in the U.S. Air Force as an electronics technician. He served one year in Denver, two years in Florida, and nine months in Germany.

Ralph married Janette I. Teeters on 9 June 1957. He obtained his B.S. degree from Colorado State University, and taught General Agriculture and Shop at Center, CO for one year. He obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Soil Science from Colorado State University. He was a recipient of a National Defense Graduate Fellowship.

International events guided most of Ralph's life. If North Korea had not invaded South Korea, Ralph would not have had to join the military. He was able to see much of Western Europe and obtained his B.S. degree on the G.I. Bill. If the Soviets had not launched Sputnik into space, Ralph would not have received a National Defense Graduate Fellowship. If Soviet Premier Khruschev had not banged his shoe at the United Nations and declared, "We will bury you," Ralph would not have obtained a job with the Central Intelligence Agency. If Rachel Carson had not published "Silent Spring" which initiated the environmental movement, Ralph would not have obtained a research position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, though the USDA had already established a laboratory to determine the environmental fate of pesticides.

Dr. Nash was an Agricultural Analyst for the CIA for two years, Washington, D.C.; Research Soil Scientist with U.S. Department of Agriculture at Beltsville, MD, for 25 years; and Study Director with BioAnalytical Services, Harristown, IL. Dr. Nash was the author or coauthor of more than 120 research papers, book chapters, abstracts of presentations, and senior editor of one scientific book - many Ralph G. Nash or R. G. Nash publications can be found on the internet. Dr. Nash was nationally and internationally known in the field of Environmental Fate of Pesticides. During his employment, he was an active member of several scientific societies- Chemical, Soil, Agronomy, Weed, and others.

Ralph was the author, senior author, or compiler of seven family genealogies and history books. In retirement, he was a 21-year volunteer at the Paleontology Laboratory, Museum of the West, Grand Junction, CO and an active member of a Home Owners Association.

Ralph served as a member and was active in several churches. He was an active Elder in three Presbyterian Churches and member and/or chairman of church committees. His hobbies included reading history, especially World War II, religion, and current events, and researching and publishing family history and genealogies.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Janette, of nearly 65 years; daughters Sherrie Nash, DVM (Robert Willems), Harlowton, MT; Cynthia Nash, MD (Gregory Brazell), Whitewater, KS; and son Bradley Nash (Sharon), Vesuvius, VA; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sisters Myrtle Henry of Denver, CO, Clare Rasmussen of Grand Junction, CO; brothers Darrel Nash, PhD, of Bowie, MD and Wayne Nash of Del Norte, CO; also many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, March 30th , 2022 at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Museums of Western Colorado. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Del Norte, CO.