Ralph Fellows Wagner

October 24, 1928 – November 24, 2016

Ralph died peacefully at his home in Palmer, Alaska on Nov. 24, 2016. A funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. Dec. 5 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church 323 N. Alaska St. in Palmer. The Rt. Reverend Mark Lattime, The Reverend Layne Smith and The Reverend Ann Whitney will officiate.

Ralph was born to Frank and Ruth Wagner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He and Dorothy, his wife of 67 years, married on August 13, 1949. They had four children, Eileen, Neil, Philip and Janet. They resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Delafield, Wisconsin; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Brecksville, Ohio, before settling in Alaska.

Ralph and Dorothy moved to Alaska in 1990. He was Interim Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Anchorage. They moved to Palmer, where he served as rector of St. Bartholomew Church until 2000.

He graduated in 1950 from Penn State University and earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Nashotah House Seminary. His first church was the Church of Advent in Jeannette, Pennsylvania in 1957. He went on to become Canon Pastor of Trinity Cathedral in Pittsburgh, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oakmont, Pennsylvania and served as interim rector in churches in Berea, Ohio; Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Wasilla and Juneau, Alaska before FINALLY retiring.

Ralph was a decorated Vietnam Era veteran and served 23 years of Active and Reserve duty. He attended Command & General Staff College and U.S. Army War College. He earned numerous awards for his meritorious service, including the Bronze Star, Army Expeditionary Medal and the Master Parachute Badge for 65 jumps. He retired from the Pentagon as Full Colonel in 1988.

During his career with the Virginia, he served as Chaplain in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and as the Chief of Chaplains in Brecksville, Ohio.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Dorothy Wagner of Palmer, Alaska; his daughter, Eileen (Bob Schuster) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; his son, Neil Wagner of Chugiak, Alaska; his daughter, Janet (Roger Boshears) of Wasilla, Alaska; 8 Grandchildren; 11 Great-Grandchildren; and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his son, Philip Wagner of Wasilla, Alaska.

He was joyous to have celebrated his 88th birthday last month. We are grateful to have had him in our lives for so long.

His family suggests donations in lieu of flowers be made to St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 323 N. Alaska St, Palmer, Alaska 99645 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements were cared for by the Valley Funeral Home, Palmer Chapel.