Purdy, Ralph F.

Ralph F. Purdy, 84, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, May 28, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, by the Rev. Donald Klein. Burial, with military honors, will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Frances; children, Barbara Kohn of Wauwatosa, Wis., Jeffrey Purdy and his wife, Carolyn, of Camarillo, Calif., Laurie Cover and her husband, Brian, of Iowa City, and Dennis Purdy and his wife, Janelle, of Solon; eight grandchildren, Christopher Kohn and his wife, Hallie, Andrew Kohn, Jessica and Valerie Purdy, Mathew and Michael Cover, Rachel and Kristen Purdy; and two great-grandsons, Oliver and Marlon Kohn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard Purdy; and a sister, Bev Delancey.

Ralph was born June 23, 1925, in Mitchell, S.D., the son of Ralph and Wilhelmina (Roth) Purdy. After graduating from Mitchell High School, Ralph enlisted in the Navy in July 1943 and was discharged in 1946. Ralph married his wife, Frances, in Cedar Rapids on July 31, 1950, and worked at Rockwell Collins for 36 years in the engineering lab. Ralph enjoyed and appreciated his job and the people he worked with. Frances and Ralph belonged to two ballroom dance clubs and took dance lessons from Anita Douglas for many years for exercise and fun. Ralph also rode a bike to work for 20 years and enjoyed that very much. Frances and Ralph had a great time with their children and grandchildren, attending events their kids participated in.

After retiring, Ralph and Frances traveled to visit their kids and Ralph enjoyed eating out with small groups of good friends every week. He was also a character member of St. Pius X and followed Hawkeye sports for years.

Memorials may be directed to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ralph's name.

Online condolences may be left by visiting   under obituaries.