Ralph Edmond Rose

LTC, Ralph Edmond Rose, USAR (Ret.)
March 22, 1914 - August 9, 2005

LTC Ralph Edmond Rose died at age 91 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born prematurely to Clarence and Marie (Koep) Rose in Chicago, IL and when only a few weeks old, this tiny baby was taken to the family home in Escanaba, MI. He did well and graduated from "Esky" High lettering in cross country track and enjoying activities such as stage crew and playing piano to entertain others.
Ralph joined the CCC's, worked in the forests and was trained to manage the camp infirmary and first aid station. Unexpectedly, he was quarantined to care for boys who had contracted scarlet fever. He then worked his way through Ferris University in Big Rapids, MI, played in the orchestra and band, was elected President of his fraternity and then President of the Student Body. He organized Ferris' first Homecoming. He graduated with degrees in Business and Secondary Education.
On the morning after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Ralph enlisted in the Army. After Basic Training, he was selected for Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He graduated as an Infantry 2nd Lt. And served with the troops as an instructor. The 29th Infantry Regiment was ordered overseas in July 1943. Ralph was sent in the advance party. The unit served a year in Iceland and then in southern England, training troops for beach landings in Normandy. Ralph served with the Regiment in France, Belgium, the Battle of the Bulge, and in Germany. After Victory in May 1945, the Regiment was assigned to Eisenhower's headquarters, SHAEF, so Ralph did not return to the States until Fall of 1945.
Ralph met and corresponded with a girl, an Army Air Corps employee, for the three years he was overseas. When he returned to San Francisco, he married Helen E. Dare, of Spokane, WA in February 1946.
Ralph became Vice President of the San Francisco agent of Allied Van Lines. The company specialized in overseas business moves and record storage facilities. Ralph retired from the Army Reserve's with the Rank of Lt. Colonel and from business in 1971. He and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the world.
Ralph was a 50-year member of the Presidio Masonic Lodge and the Shrine in San Francisco. All through the years, Ralph enjoyed playing 30's and 40's jazz piano to entertain others. When serving with the Army in Paris he had the pleasure of sitting in with Django Reinhart and Stephane Grapelli, world-renowned jazz musicians. They were reunited again and he again played with them in 1976.
At the age of 90, Ralph was awarded the Order of St. Maurice for his life long service to the Infantry.
The Roses have two children, Elizabeth Rose Mitchell, MSW, LCSW of Surprise, AZ and CAPT Thomas Koep Rose of Poulsbo. They have five grandchildren, Geoffrey Nelson, Cynthia George, Katherine, Michael and Cristina Rose, one delightful great-granddaughter Abby Mae Nelson and his younger sister Ethel (Rose) Nelson resides in Gladstone, MI. Ralph was preceded in death by his brother Ray.
The family requests that donations in his memory be sent to The Fund for the Shriner's Children's Hospitals, ASIYA Temple, 1925 Elkhorn Ct., San Mateo, CA 94403.