Dr. Ralph John Touch Jr.

With heavy hearts and deepest regret, we announce the passing of Dr. Ralph J. Touch Jr., son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Touch of 48 Garfield Avenue, Carbondale, PA. This occurred peacefully on October 10 in Venice, Florida (FL) following a brief illness. He was 91.

Dr. Touch was a graduate of the former St. Rose Catholic School in Carbondale, where he served as president of the Student Council and distinguished himself as a star basketball player.

In 1957 he earned a B.S. degree at Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Following graduation, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany. In 1971, he earned a certificate from the Grad School of Business at the University of Michigan. In 1977, he earned a degree in Human Factors and Psychology from Maywood College. In 1986 he earned his MBA from the University of California, Santa Ana, CA. and his PHD from the University of California, Santa Ana, CA in 1988.

While serving with the U.S. Army in Germany, he met his former wife, Inge Dittman. They had one son, Ralph III, who resides in Venice, FLA with his wife Lisa and their two sons, Shane and Spencer. He and Inge divorced in 1978. In 1980, he met his second wife Judie. They were married for over 40 years. She passed away 9 years ago. They had no children. In addition to his aforementioned family, he is survived by his third wife, Linda Clarke, whom he married in 2020 and resides in North Port, FLA.

In 1980, Dr. Touch accepted a commission with the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), Center of Disease Headquarters in Atlanta, GA, where he retired as the United States Chief Sanitarian - Environmental Health Officer, attaining the Naval rank of Captain in Feb. 2000. While serving in the USPHS he lead a team that oversaw the federal coordination of food safety inspections at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. for which Captain Touch and his team received the Hammer Award from Vice President Al Gore. During his tenure with USPHS he was key in improving the effectiveness of Child Health Initiative through enhanced relationships with nongovernmental organization.

Once Ralph retired he lived in the Boca Royale Country Club Community, Englewood, FL for 25 years. There, he forged many friendships and settled into retirement. He loved his family, to travel via cruises, taking out his boat, playing golf, was in a bike cycling club, and attending many parties and social gatherings within the community. He formed and was a member of the Boca 5, which was responsible for reorganizing the Dining Club. He volunteered for Hospice providing comfort and prayer for veterans and Tunnel for Towers fundraising. His Boca family shared that Ralph had a bigger than life personality, always had a joke or two to share, and just an all around great guy.

He spent the last four years of his life living with, being cared for and loved by his son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons.

He is also survived by brothers David (Inis), from Summerfield, FL, John (Susan), Crystal Lake, PA and Michael (Donna) from Sarasota, FL along with several nieces and nephews.

He will be interned with his second wife Judie at the National Cemetery 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL. 34241. Arrangements and obituary provided by Kay’s-Ponger, Uselton & Lemon Bay Funeral Home, 1935 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293. www.kayspongervenice.com

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will include only close family.