MAGNOLIA: Ralph E. Karcher, Jr., 88, died Tuesday morning, December 10, 2013 following an extended illness. He was the husband of Mariam B. (Purdy) Karcher.
Born in Gloucester on February 27, 1925, he was the son of the late Ralph E. and Ethel (Corkum) Karcher. He was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1943, where he was a member of the Fighting Fishermen Football team and a Northeast Conference All Star. He played for Nate Ross, who once said Ralph was the best lineman he ever coached. He was proud to be inducted into the Gloucester High School Hall of Fame.
His passion was ham radio and he got his license at the age of fifteen. His home in Magnolia is easily recognizable for the three radio towers and his call letters are W1RK. He maintains transcripts of speaking with Capt. Frank Quirk aboard the Cando during the Blizzard of 1978.
Upon graduation, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and this skill opened the opportunity for him to become part of the Signal Corps during World War II. He served in Italy in the Po Valley as well as campaigns including Rome Arno and the North Appennines and was honorably discharged in January of 1946.
Upon his return from the war, he became a member of the Gloucester Fire Department were he remained for several years. He then became an electrical engineer for the former United Shoe Machinery Corporation in Beverly for thirty-five years, having retired in 1987.
He had always been active in youth sports and had coached Pee Wee Football for the Magnolia Lions. He also coached Babe Ruth Baseball for thirty years for the former Mass Electric team which became the Kiwanis Club Team.
In addition to his devoted wife of sixty-five years, he is survived by his son, Kirk M. Karcher, companion of Brittany Baskette; two grandchildren, Jacob, husband of Molly (Scali) Karcher and Courtney E. Karcher, companion of Matthew Ayer; five great-grandchildren, Bhodi and Thea Ayer and Zachary, Abigail and Chloe Karcher; as well as a beloved niece, Karen and her husband, Al Shah. He was also predeceased by two sisters, Harriett Pearson and Margaret Goodwin; and his brother, Robert Karcher.
His funeral service will be held on Friday morning in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 – 11 a.m. Military honors will be rendered in the Beechbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association, 6 Stanwood St., Gloucester, MA 01930.