Ralph E. Pfaff

Ralph E. Pfaff, 82, of Naples, FL, formerly of Chicago northern suburbs, died Saturday, April 17.  He had lived 12 years with the neurodegeneration disease, PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).  The last four years he had lost his ability to speak, but he was independent until he fell twice one morning and died ten days later. 

He was born July 3, 1938 in Rochester, NY; the only child of Edward and Marion Pfaff.  He graduated from High School in 1956, then in 1960 graduated from Wheaton College with a BS in Physics and an ROTC Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.  He served two years. 

Ralph met his wife, Caren (Ude) Pfaff in college; they were married 58 years and have three children:  Randy (Becky), Susan (Mike) and Julie (Andy).  He is Grandad to nine grandchildren.  Ralph earned an MBA at the University of Chicago, then worked for IBM, United Airlines, Wickes, and the last twenty years at The Options Clearing Corporation in Chicago.  We raised our family in Park Ridge, IL and attended South Park Church for 40 years, where Ralph taught Sunday School and held several leadership positions.  In Naples we are members of the Covenant Church. 

Ralph left instructions that we let everyone who knew him know of his faith and that he is now in the presence of Jesus, his Lord and Savior.  There will not be a service, but a private family celebration of his life at a later date.  Any donations, please send to curePSP.org.