Ralph K. Frederick Beal of Charleston ME formerly of Kingston MA passed away December 16th at the age of 101. He was husband of the late Phyllis (Hammond) Beal. He was a graduate of Whitman High School class of 1928. He received his machinist apprenticeship at Pearson Machine Shop in Whitman. Ralph graduated from Eastern State Teachers College in 1933 in Castine ME. He was a purchasing agent for the Commonwealth Shoe and Leather Co. in Whitman and when WWII broke out he went to M.I.T. Radiation Laboratory as an instrument maker to help with the war effort.
After the war he worked for Hastings Laboratory in Bass River for 3 years, he then went into business with his father as a Carpenter and Builder.
Ralph built his brother in law Henry A. Baker’s home in Danbury, CT, and an Art Studio in Glendale CA for his other brother in law Herb V. Cook.
He owned an Anodizing Plant in Hollywood CA for 7 years then sold out and returned back East to resume his Carpentry and building in this area.
Ralph retired in 1974 and traveled all over North America by car including Alaska. Since then he took shorter trips from Maine to Florida.
A Graveside service will be held at a later date at the Colebrook Cemetery in Whitman. Donations can be made in Ralph’s name to a charity of one’s choice.