Born in Slatington, PA he was the son of the late Frank Herbert and Elsie (Acker) Smith.
Ralph is survived by two sons, David F. Smith of Collegeville and Ralph H. Jr., husband of Dianne W. Smith of Gilbertsville; a daughter, Mary Jane Smith of Gilbertsville; four grandchildren, Alyssa, Sarah, Jennifer and Matthew; five great-grandchildren, Reagan, Benjamin, Colin, Madelyn and Hannah. He was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Smith-Boettner, three brothers and two sisters.
He was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Gilbertsville, and a WWII US Army Veteran. Ralph was a mason, private pilot, a member of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association; an avid hunter, enjoyed history and politics. He enjoyed the Philadelphia Eagles Super bowl victory.
In 1949 he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Science at Muhlenberg College majoring in geology.
In the 1950’s he worked at Bethlehem Steel in Management. In the 1960’s he was Safety Director for Dragon Cement Company, Northampton. In 1967 Ralph worked at Boyertown Packaging as VP in Human Resources, was an arbitrator for the company and did contract negotiations for 19 years until his retirement in 1986. After retirement he helped senior citizen job placement. He also worked for Sears Hardware at the Coventry Mall for 14 years.
A viewing will be 10:00 – 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Avenue, Gilbertsville, PA. followed by funeral services 12 p.m.
Burial will be Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Union Cemetery, Slatington, PA.
Arrangements are handled by Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc., 111 North Reading Avenue, Boyertown.
Online condolences may be made at www.lwottfuneralhome.com
