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Ralph Brander - Class of 1945
Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com>
on 02/Jan/2024
71.223.162.184
Ralph Carmen Brander, born October 26, 1927, in Newburgh, NY
to Michael and Dorothy (Barley) Brander died peacefully in
his sleep on December 28, 2023. He was 96. Ralph grew up in
the Newburgh area, in a family of modest means. He shoveled
coal for the Newburg-Beacon ferry and worked with his uncle
Louie in the family neon sign business before embarking on a
several decades career at IBM. Ralph once remarked that he
had installed the original Pete's Hot Dogs neon sign. His
career at IBM took him to a number of countries and states,
managing many projects for them.
As a boy of 16, Ralph had shown a deep spiritual interest
and began to study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses. At a
square dance, he met the love of his life, Jacqueline
(Jackie) Harris whom he married and raised 3 children with.
Because Ralph continued to recognize his spiritual need, he
left IBM at the age of 48 to enter the full-time ministry to
share the Good News with others. In 1978, Ralph was invited
to join the order of special full-time servants at the World
Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, NY. Ralph
was able to leverage his many years in computer management
to assist in the development and production of a
multi-language pre-press system that has contributed
significantly to the Watchtower Society's translation
efforts. Ralph left the offices of Watchtower in 2000 to
once again pursue the ministry in the field.
Anyone who knew Ralph would say that he was a warm, caring
individual who impacted so many different people in a
positive way. His easy-going manner, contagious smile and
quick humor were loved by all who knew him. Ralph was
pre-deceased by his wife in 2020. He leaves behind his 3
children, Victoria Herzog, Philip (wife Renee) Brander and
Ralph (wife Theresa) Brander, eight grandchildren, 10
great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the aides
that took such wonderful care of him over the last years of
his life as well as hospice for their loving care and
concern. Arrangements to be announced at a future date.
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