IN MEMORY HONOR ROLL

Ralph Gene Whitman, Sr. loved being a Sailor. He was born on March 9, 1938 in Snow Hill, NC, and enlisted in the United States Navy in April 1955. He married Marie Swann on October 31, 1956 and they shared a Navy life for the next two decades. Their adventure took them around the world with their family of four "Navy Brats" along for the ride. Marie was a young but strong Navy wife who managed the family remarkably well during Ralph's many long sea duties and accompanied tours in the Philippines and Morocco. Ralph was aboard the USS Fiske in 1966 and participated in multiple war patrols in the Mekong River and Tonkin Gulf. This assignment brought him in contact with Agent Orange and would lead to many years suffering from ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer and renal cell cancer with multiple metastatic cancers. He did not complain but although he tried, he could not hide the pain and misery he endured. Ralph was honorably discharged from active duty in 1974 and retired in 1984. He settled into civilian life and continued to be a valued worker in the workplace. Ralph and Marie remained together for 58 years until he passed away on January 23, 2015 at the age of 76. His wife, children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren loved the man known affectionately as “Pop”. He was a kind, loving man with an uncanny sense of humor even in his times of severe pain who taught us the values of integrity, humility and honesty. Ralph's military records reflect the same man known by his family. He was admired and respected because of his exemplary conduct and reliability. He avoided signs of aggravation and displays of temper. People wanted to work for him because he was thoughtful, sympathetic and cared for them. Thank you for your service to our country Master Chief Ralph Whitman. May you be blessed with fair winds and following seas and may you never experience pain again. You are so deeply missed by those who love you.