Ralph A. Ahrens, 82 years old of Havre de Grace, MD passed away October 31st, 2024 at his home.
Born May 20th, 1942, in Saginaw, MI to father Ralph Albert Ahrens Sr and Mother Flora Mae Bellinger; he was the second oldest child of four siblings.
He enlisted into the United States Navy on November 1st, 1960 and served Honorably until November 3rd, 1964. During that time, he served upon the USS Raleigh LPD-1 and is a “plank owner”. While serving Ralph A. Ahrens Jr was deployed to the Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis. Later Ralph A. Ahrens Jr was stationed at Bainbridge Naval Training Center where he first met his soon to be wife over the phone while she was a switchboard operator. Ralph and Chick would soon wed in fall of 1961 and settled in Havre de Grace, Md. After that he would take on a position at Chrysler assembly plant in Newark, DE where he would retire after 30 years. Not wanting to be bored, Ralph started working at Bulle Rock Golf Course prior to their opening and continued to work there for many years after.
Ralph and Chick took many road trips, the longest being to Arizona to visit his brother, and to Florida. Every year he would look forward to going to Pennsylvania with his wife and family for family reunions. Ralph would often sit with his best friend Wally Reynolds debating about everything from the weather to how to change the brakes on a car since they both were mechanically inclined and were convinced the other was wrong. Between late 1960’s – early 1970’s he was a member of Susquehanna Hose 4. He served on the vestry at Grace Reformed Episcopal Church heading up building and grounds. He was a life member of Joseph L. Davis Post47, serving on the executive committee and numerous sub-committees spanning 50+ years.
He is survived by two children, the oldest Ralph A. Ahrens III (Trip), and Tammy Ahrens Coakley. To his honor, there are four grandchildren: Christopher C. Ahrens and his wife Nicole L. Ahrens, Travis A. Coakley and his wife Katie M. Coakley, Matthew C. Ahrens, and Tyler A. Coakley and his wife Emily C. Coakley.
To his glory there are six great grandchildren, Morgan L. Ahrens, Logan A. Ahrens, Briar D. Ahrens, Anthony J. Coakley, Christopher G. Coakley, and Luke A. Coakley.
Ralph A. Ahrens Jr was proceeded in death by his father Ralph, mother Flora, his wife of 48 years N. Gladys “Chick” Ahrens and his sister Joice Lester.
Friends will be received November 9th, 2024, from 14:00-16:00 (2 pm to 4 pm) at Zellman Funeral Home located at 927 Pulaski Hwy, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. Following the visitation, a service will be held, officiated by Ron Turner. Directly following; Military honors will be rendered.
Donations can be made to the American Legion Joseph L. Davis Post47, 501 St. James St, Havre de Grace MD 21078.
Arrangements provided by Zellman Funeral Home, 927 Pulaski Hwy, Havre de Grace, MD 21078.
Interment services will be held at Montgomery Cemetery near Hillsdale, PA on November 11th at 11:00 a.m.
Arrangements for burial provided by Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd., 18944 Rte 286 Hwy East
Hillsdale, PA 15746.
“Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole.
I thank whatever Gods may be,
For my unconquerable Soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced or cried aloud,
Under the bludgeoning of chance,
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears,
Looms but the horror of the shade.
And yet the menace of the years,
Finds and shall find me still, unafraid.
It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll
I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my Soul”
Invictus- E. Hemmingway