**Charles Leland Ralph**
*August 16, 1929 – September 15, 2025*
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Charles Leland Ralph passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, September 15, 2025, at the age of 96.
Born on August 16, 1929, in Flint, Michigan, Charles was the son of John Leland Ralph and Ruby Martha Poinsett. He was raised in Southeast Missouri and graduated with honors from Southeast Missouri State College in 1952, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. He went on to receive his doctorate in Biological Sciences from Northwestern University in 1955.
After completing his PhD, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served for two years at the Army Chemical Corps in Edgewood, Maryland, and reached the rank of specialist third class. Following his honorable discharge, he began his career at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland, working as a physiologist in the poultry division.
Charles’s first academic appointment was at the University of Pittsburgh’s Biology Department in 1959. He was promoted to full professor in 1967 and served as department chair from 1973 to 1974. In 1974, he moved to Fort Collins to become chairman of the Zoology and Entomology Department at Colorado State University, a position he held until 1984. He retired in 1996.
Throughout his career, Charles focused his research primarily on endocrinology and diurnal rhythms. He authored or co-authored approximately 150 scientific publications and wrote a textbook on physiology. He was a dedicated mentor to many undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows. Additionally, Charles organized and contributed to professional meetings in several countries.
Charles was married twice. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Anne Roth in 1952 in St. Louis. They were married for 26 years and had three children, two of whom survive him. The family shared countless adventures hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing in and around Pittsburgh and across the United States. During this time, Charles was active with the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Todd Nature Reserve in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
In 1980, Charles married (Frances) Reta Wick Herbertson in Fort Collins. Reta predeceased him in 2022. The couple enjoyed a culturally rich life together, including world travel, attending concerts, operas, and square dances. They were passionate supporters of the arts and helped establish the Ralph Opera Program at Colorado State University.
In his retirement years, Charles continued his dedication to the arts and nature. He published a newsletter and maintained two websites for Colorado’s opera community. He also volunteered many hours controlling invasive weeds and performing maintenance work at City of Fort Collins natural areas and The Nature Conservancy’s Phantom Canyon Preserve.
Charles and Reta’s legacy lives on through their generous support of The Nature Conservancy of Colorado, the Charles and Reta Ralph Vocal Music Scholarship Endowment at Colorado State University, and the Reta Wick Ralph Fund in Art Preservation and Art Education at the University of Wyoming.
Charles is survived by his children, Alisa Ralph (Patrick Cagney) of Burien, Washington, and Paula Ralph (Julian Maynard) of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, as well as his grandchildren, Brian Maynard and Karen Maynard (Richard Rado). His daughters cherish fond memories of family road trips exploring the U.S., joyful “wine time” conversations on the back patio, and their father’s delight in telling corny jokes. They are grateful for the curiosity and love of lifelong learning that he instilled in them.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to dear friends and exceptional caregivers who uplifted Charles’s spirits during his final years. Charles often expressed gratitude for the good fortune, supportive mentors, and the interesting people and places that enriched his long life.
A celebration of Charles Leland Ralph’s life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy of Colorado or the Charles and Reta Ralph Vocal Music Scholarship Endowment at Colorado State University.
https://www.semissourian.com/obituaries/charles-ralph-ffc0de3b