Robert Ralston
January 21, 1953 ~ September 15, 2007
Robert Ralston, 54, of Columbus, Ohio went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 15, 2007, at OSU East Hospital in Columbus with his family by his side. Bob was born in Weirton on January 21, 1953. He is the son of the late Dwight Ralston and the late Eva Ralich Ralston.
He was a math teacher for 10 years in Parkersburg, WV, then moved to Columbus where he taught in the Bexley School System for approx. 20 years. He merged his faith as an educator into the classroom. He was very active in the school system and very involved with his church and spoke in the absence the minister. He had a love for literature and did freelance writing in several issues of Guide Post, Christian Teachers in Focus, The Columbus Monthly, and TV Guide.
He is survived by his siblings: brother, Tom (Paula) Ralston of Hutto, Texas; sisters, Carolyn (Rusty) Delanta, and Betty Jean Ralston of Weirton; four nieces, Ebonee Ralston of Texas, Jennifer (John) Belt of Steubenville, Shelley (Todd) Burnett of Wintersville, and Melissa Ralston of Weirton; one nephew; Tom Ralston of Texas; and numerous God children.
Friends will be received on Tuesday, September 18th at Graumlich & Son Inc. Funeral Home in Columbus, Ohio from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 19th at Livingston United Methodist Church - receiving family and friends at 11:00 AM and services at Noon. The family will also have a viewing at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV on Thursday, Sept. 20th from 11:00 AM until 1:00PM services at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Chestnut Ridge Cemetery in Florence, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Livingston United Methodist Church, 200 East Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43215.
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
I am so sorry to hear about Robert. I was thinking about him the other day. I thought I read his name posted in an obit for condolences. I went to grade school with him and he was so nice to me. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Carolyn and Rusty and the entire Ralston family. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I am sure he was a good teacher and church man. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sincerely, Jerry Hamill
Betty,Melissa & family, Im so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother/uncle. My Love and Prayers are with you now and always. Kathey Bunner
Dear Tom, Carolyn, Betty Jean, and family members, It is with deepest sympathy that I send this note to you. I was saddened to learn of Bobby’s death, and I wanted you to know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. He was a wonderful, kind man who possessed both intelligence and compassion for his fellow man. As a teacher, he has touched many lives, and he will be immortalized through the words of praise from his students. He knew the Lord as his personal Savior, and now he is resting peacefully in His arms. Praise the Holy Name of Jesus forever. In Christian love, Dwight McUmar
Carolyn & Family, My deepest sympathy to your families during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ginger
Carolyn and family Sorry about your loss you are in our thoughts and prayers God Bless Denise Patrick Josh and Mark
Carolyn and family – so sorry to hear about your loss. We will keep you in our prayers. We think about you all often. Love, Donny & Chubby
Dear Tom, Carolyn, Betty Jean & Family, Please know that all of us Simich’s are sad to learn of Bobby’s passing. We all remember the good times we had growing up in the North End. Our deepest sympathy to all. May His Memory Be Eternal, Bertha & Family
My love and sincere sympathy to all of you. Bobby was a very special person. I felt blessed from the very first time that I met him. I would watching all the love and tenderness he shared while visiting his mother. The love was awesome to watch. I met your sister which gave me the opportunity to experience this family love first hand. You are in heaven now with your mom and spending eternity with our Father God. You where a true believer of taking that final walk and fearing no evil, for thou art with you. I’ll never say good bye just see you later. love you Gwen
Dear Carolyn, I don’t have the words to express how sad and shocked I was to hear of Bobby’s passing. He was a dear, sweet, and kind man and I was so honored to have him in my life. I will forever be sorry to have lost touch with him over the years and only hope to “catch up” when we meet on the other side. He and Jimmy(Judge) and I going to prayer meetings, and just running around laughing and praying together that summer they were working at the G.O. with me!….. Those memories are like sunshine pouring down over me when it’s raining on everyone else. You will be in my prayers, and Chris’, and please know that we are thinking of you and your family at this time of sorrow. May God bless. With love and friendship, El and Chris
Bob was my son Jim’s math teacher at Bexley High School. Jim is a junior now at Denison University. He came home today to attend Bob’s funeral. While we listened to the tributes during the service, I reflected on a day when Bob intervened and stood as a witness to a very important crossroad for Jim. He lent support and compassion during this trying time. A few years later, when Jim applied for college, he was asked to write about an influential person in his life. I told him to think long and hard about whom he would choose to write such an essay about. He never hesitated and in a moment, said without question, I want to write about Mr. Ralston. We’ve experienced a computer crash since that time, and unfortunately, the essay is not retrievable. I remember it as a glowing tribute. But what I remember most, is that unwavering decision Jim made in a split second. It said so much more than the words woven into the essay. It spoke to the admiration, fondness, and trust he built with Mr. Ralston, a teacher whose presence will continue to guide his students in ways only the heart and soul can know.
Dear Family Members, My husband Brad and I send our condolences on the loss of your brother, uncle. Bob was a kind, sincere, witty man whose goodness will be remembered by all those who met him. I knew him way back when we used to fight over Barbra Streisand albums. I will cherish those memories of him. Sincerely, Donna Isner
I have already expressed my sympathy and pledged my prayers to Carolyn, Betty, and Tommy and their families. It was a privilege to attend and participate in Bob’s homegoing service in Columbus Wednesday along with our friend Jim Judge. The service at his church–Livingston United Methodist in Columbus–was a wonderful tribute to Bob’s life as a friend, brother, uncle, churchman, Christian, and educator. He touched countless lives in remarkable ways and with amazing depth of compassion. I have pastored the Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nashville for 17 years, and as we say in the South: “I’ve been knowin’ that ole boy for 40 years!” He will be greatly missed, but his memory and ministry live on!
I am so sad to know that Bob died so young. I taught with Bob for 4 years at Blennerhassett School. He was a creative, hard-working, witty, demanding and fair teacher…and a fine human being. I am so sorry I did not know him in recent years. Please accept my deepest sympathy, and know that all of his friends and family will continue to be in my prayer.
Dear Carolyn, Betty Jean & Tom, I was so saddened to hear of Bobby’s death. I don’t have the words to express the sorrow I feel for all of you at such a loss. Bobby was a wonderful, fun-loving friend and thoughts have flooded my mind all day of the fun times we shared so many years ago in Weirton. I’m so thankful to have known him and to have called him friend. Sincerely, Marilynn Walker
I have known Bob for about 35 years, since I am married to one of his high school friends. Bob was a faithful correspondent and I was so entertained by his letters that I began answering them just to get a response. His gentleness and charm have been a blessing to us and we thank the Lord that our lives crossed in ways that enriched us. “Precious in the sight of God is the death of His saints.” Bob was one of those!