Ralph Dise

Ralph Allen Dise was born September 1, 1921 in Yonkers, New York. He was the son of Homer Allen Dise and Jane Jennie Liza Wyckoff Dise; and the brother of the late Preston Wyckoff. He moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio as a ten-year-old boy when his father, a structural engineer later chief structural engineer for the Erie Railroad, was transferred from New York City to Cleveland. Ralph attended Cleveland Heights Schools, graduating from Cleveland Heights High School in 1939. He graduated from Purdue University in 1943 with a BSME degree and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He took the Dale Carnegie Course in 1952-'53 and U.S. Steel's Junior Executive Training Program in 1956-'57. Ralph was in the ROTC at Purdue University; served in Army Ordnance from 1943-'46 in New Guinea, the Philippines, and in the Army of Occupation in Japan, attaining the rank of captain. He was employed in 1946 as an industrial engineer by U.S. Steel Corporation and worked at both Cuyahoga Works and Central Furnaces. Ralph became plant superintendent of Central Furnaces, serving in that capacity for 14 years until the plant was shut down in September 1978. In 1978, Ralph invited the director Michael Cimino to film several key scenes for the movie "The Deer Hunter" at the plant. He guided actor Robert DiNiro in how to act like a typical blast furnace worker of the 1970's. The plant shutdown was due to foreign imports and excessive needed expenditures for water pollution controls. Ralph retired in January 1979. Ralph was married on February 17, 1950 to Mary Elizabeth Molly Mercer. They had three children: two sons, Ralph Allen Dise, Jr., Kathryn Korhumel and Russell Wyckoff Dise Jennifer Gale, and daughter, Ann Mercer, born December 9, 1955. Ann died March 16, 1976, a victim of cystic fibrosis. Ralph is grandfather of three: Molly Ann, George Mercer, and Eileen Alma . Presently, he was a member of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights, where he has served as Elder, Head Usher, Stephen Minister, and on the Boards of Stewardship and Worship. He was formerly a 20-year member of Noble Road Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and on the Boards of Stewardship, Worship, Church and Society, and as an Usher. Ralph was past president of Forest Hill Homeowners, Inc.; past president of Cleveland Heights Kiwanis Club; past president of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Board of Trustees, and past president of the Sixty Five Roses Club; and past co-president of the Heritage Dance Club. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution of the Western Reserve. Ralph was a trustee of the Heights Fund, which gave home loans to qualified people, and served on the Cleveland Heights Committee for "The Year of the Handicapped". He was also on the Board of Meals on Wheels in Cleveland Heights. He enjoyed bowling, golf, and world travels, and supported his wife's PTA and other activities. The family prefers that thjose who wish may make contributions in his name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4635 Richmond Rod., Cleveland, Oh 44128-5938. Memorial Services will be held 2PM, Monday, January 31 in Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, 3031 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH FROM 2-4 AND 6-8 PM, SUNDAY, JANUARY 30TH. Private family interment Lake View Cemetery. BROWN-FORWARD SERVICE 216 752 1200


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