RALPH C. RODGERS, LTJG, USN
Ralph Rodgers '48
Lucky Bag
From the 1948 Lucky Bag:
Ralph Christian Rodgers
Paoli, Pennsylvania
"How did you get twenty for that last problem?" cried Ralph during every Math study hour. Untroubled by the usual complexities of Academy life, Rodge had difficulty convincing the Math Department that his quiet manner belied his mental alertness. His small stature did not hamper his athletic aspirations, and a rough battalion football game on Sunday afternoon, or a few sets of tennis were his specialties. Off to a slow start after leaving Penn State, but catching on fast, Rodge added to the yard's scenery with his weekend drags. Thoughtful, friendly, and with a will to work, Rodge will undoubtedly do as well in the future as he has in the past.
He graduated with the class of 1948-A, the last of the wartime-accelerated classes, in June 1947. (The bottom half of the class by academic standing, designated 1948-B, completed an extra year and graduated in June 1948.)
Ralph Christian Rodgers
Paoli, Pennsylvania
"How did you get twenty for that last problem?" cried Ralph during every Math study hour. Untroubled by the usual complexities of Academy life, Rodge had difficulty convincing the Math Department that his quiet manner belied his mental alertness. His small stature did not hamper his athletic aspirations, and a rough battalion football game on Sunday afternoon, or a few sets of tennis were his specialties. Off to a slow start after leaving Penn State, but catching on fast, Rodge added to the yard's scenery with his weekend drags. Thoughtful, friendly, and with a will to work, Rodge will undoubtedly do as well in the future as he has in the past.
He graduated with the class of 1948-A, the last of the wartime-accelerated classes, in June 1947. (The bottom half of the class by academic standing, designated 1948-B, completed an extra year and graduated in June 1948.)
Loss
Ralph was lost on December 7, 1950 when the plane he was piloting collided with another and then crashed five miles south of Pensacola, Florida. The other pilot was also lost; they were engaged in a formation training flight from Saufley Field.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Ralph attended Tredyffrin Easttown High School. As a sophomore, he was on the tennis team. His father Ralph was a railroad clerk, mother Irma. Ralph was survived by his wife and step-daughter.
He is buried in California.
Related Articles
George Jeffries, Jr. '48 and Howard Moore '48 were also in 23rd Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
