Ralph H. Purvis Jr.

Ralph Purvis, Jr, (1934-2026) passed May 3 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. To describe Ralph as an extrovert is like calling the Himalayas hills. He loved interacting with people and never met a stranger. This meant going towards heavily tattooed and pierced members of LA Fitness and happily telling them about the role of tribal Scots in developing blue tattoos to help with blood clotting in battle. It meant telling people about books he loved, including one about the history of this area, The Pennsylvania Dutch, by Frederik Klees. If you knew him, you heard about the book, and how it connected with his late-in-life proud discovery of pre-Revolutionary roots in the region.

 

Ralph had a beautiful tenor voice, first noticed in the boy choir of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church when his mother enrolled him as a 7-year-old. He became cantor of the church, sang semi-professionally for many years, attended the Academy of Vocal Arts, and considered pursuing music as a career. His family treasures a recording of him as the cantor, singing the opening to Ave Verum Corpus. The sweetness of his voice is deeply moving.

 

His ambitious and enterprising nature began when he was 14 and had one of the largest Bulletin paper routes in the city. His strong legs from climbing the hills of Manayunk stood him in good stead until the end, as did his time as a tank commander in the army when he had to keep calm under pressure. He loved talking about his time in the army, especially when he was “locked and loaded on the Czech border from January to Easter Sunday of 1957.” Perhaps that is where he decided that Purvis rhymed with “nervous” which is what he would try not to be.

 

Ralph’s career at Girard Bank began in the mail room, his leadership qualities and management skills propelling him through 17 different positions in 32 years, ending as Senior Vice President and head of Human Resources. In that role, he pioneered the concept of flexible benefit plans within banks, and years later was likely to be recognized on a walk in the Wissahickon by former employees who wanted to express their appreciation. While he was at Girard, he became involved with the High School Academies, an organization within the public school system which brought industry and schools together to create 18 vocational academies, assisting 8800 students. Ralph was instrumental in that work. He was forever thrilled when he encountered a graduate of one of the academies and could see how much his work had helped people. He never had a job that didn’t improve lives. Following his time at Girard, Ralph worked as the head of the Philadelphia region of Right Associates, bringing warmth and kindness to executive outplacement, helping people feel cared for and supported when they lost their job.

 

Ralph was a strong advocate for women and minorities. He loved telling people about being 9% Jewish, a detail that he discovered late in life. Throughout his career, he risked friendships to stand for fairness and justice. He was bold and passionate in his principles. In his 90^th summer, he stood with his Proud Veteran sign in local demonstrations.

 

Finding connections with anyone anywhere was Ralph’s superpower. He could talk to almost anyone and find a connection to his childhood, his various jobs, or what his family members pursued in their careers.

 

Ralph combined a multitude of talents and interests. He could fix just about anything and everything. He loved flying radio-controlled planes, snorkeling, traveling, skiing, hiking, and going on adventures of many sorts. He was a confident and wonderful cook. He learned to play the cello in his 60’s. He had a strong sense of spirituality and described himself as a devout follower of Jesus. When he received a diagnosis of terminal cancer, untreatable at his age and stage, he decided to adopt a stance of curiosity and optimism. He responded with warm appreciation and respect for all his caregivers.

 

He was a treasure and will be deeply missed. Ralph was predeceased by his father, Ralph Purvis, Sr., and mother Elizabeth Cull, as well as his sister, Elizabeth Allen, and ex-wife Jean LaPenta. He leaves behind his beloved second wife Janet Mather, his daughters Heidi Purvis and Kimberly Purvis (Phil Schoenleber), and grandson Max of Southampton, PA, his stepdaughter, Jennifer Briggs (Carl Wellington) and granddaughters Sarah and Amy of Pittsburgh PA. He will also be missed by his brother Douglas (Nancy Minugh-Purvis), and 6 nieces and nephews. He was proud of them all and not shy about expressing it.

 

Relatives and friends are invited to Ralph’s visitation Saturday 6/13, 10 to 11am at Craft Funeral Home, 814 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA. His memorial service will follow at 11am. Interment private. Streaming will be available on  Zoom.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s honor to Keystone Hospice would be much appreciated.