On the morning of September 2nd, Commander Ralph S. Magnus, of Fredericksburg, Virginia and DelRay Beach, Florida, died at the age of 90. Ralph was born to Barnett and Eva Magnus of Brooklyn, New York in 1930. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in 1953 and a Master’s degree from Mississippi State University in 1975. Ralph was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in 1956 and enjoyed a 28-year career as a naval aviator. He was a veteran of the Vietnam war with 158 combat missions in the F4 Phantom with his beloved VF-102. Ralph also worked as a teacher, professor, and a defense contractor. He was a Red Cross volunteer for 10 years after he retired, including spending months in New York city as a volunteer after September 11th.
Ralph was an outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He was an avid baseball and softball player as well as being a coach and umpire for youth baseball. Ralph was a world traveler and adventurer, going on numerous trips around the globe exploring nature and enjoying wildlife.
Ralph was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gloria and his son Steve. He is survived by his longtime companion Alberta Gearhart, daughters Fran and Lisa, sons Cliff and Scott, nieces Ronnie and Barbara, first cousins Bob and Anita, grandchildren Chris, Ezra, Rivkah and Sarah and numerous cousins.
There will be a viewing and visitation at Dignity Memorial/Mullins & Thompson Funeral Home, 1621 Jefferson Davis Highway, in Fredericksburg, Virginia on the afternoon of October 9th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross or the Wildlife Conservation Society.
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