Ralph George Urch

Ralph George Urch, age 77, of Melbourne, Fla., passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at William Childs Hospice House, Palm Bay, Fla., after a brief illness. Ralph was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, on Nov. 12, 1934, to Milton and Erdine Urch. A Veteran, he served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a physical therapist. He met and married his beloved wife Johanna while stationed in Germany. During his career in the Air Force, he and his family traveled to England, Libya, Spain, and Italy. They also spent time in Texas, South Dakota, and Massachusetts. Upon his retirement in 1972, he and his family resided in Jefferson, Ohio. He and his wife then moved to Melbourne, Fla., in 2002. Ralph was a member of the USAF Tides Club at Patrick AFB; the German American Social Club of Brevard County; and a former ham radio operator. He took courses at the Cleveland Institute of Electronics and enjoyed working with computers. Ralph and his wife loved traveling; dancing; bowling; playing bingo and being with their many friends. Ralph's good humor and laughs will be greatly missed. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Johanna M. Urch of Melbourne, Fla.; son, Claus G. Urch (Beth) of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; daughter, Joyce E. Urch, of Melbourne, Fla.; and son, Ralph E. Urch (Laura) of Williamsburg, Va.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Duane Urch, Roland Urch and Harold Urch, and sister Evelyn Garoutty, nieces and nephews, all of Ashtabula, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's name may be directed to William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, Fla. 32905.