Ralph Thorpe

Ralph S. Thorpe, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 23, 1916, in Oblong, Ill., to J.R. and Della Siler Thorpe. He graduated from grade school and high school in Oblong and from the University of Illinois in 1938. In 1940 he received a master's degree from Penn State University.

Mr. Thorpe worked for Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester, N.Y., as a chemical engineer in color film manufacture and processing from 1940 to 1978.

He and Marilyn Lawhead where married June 16, 1940, in Robinson, Ill. They moved to Cape Girardeau in April 1994 from Sun City Ariz. She died April 17, 1995. He then married Crittie Wolfers on June 29, 1996, and she died Jan. 3, 2003.

He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

Survivors include three sons, John S. Thorpe of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Dr. William P. Thorpe of Bluffton, S.C., and David L. Thorpe, of Boston; a daughter, Virginia "Ginny" Dolan of Anchorage, Alaska; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

There is no visitation or funeral. Entombment will be at a later date in Sun City.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to Crown Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.