(April 13, 1926—November 8, 2009)

Major Ralph Leidy was promoted to Glory from his home in Clearwater, Fla.

Ralph Richard Leidy was one of two children born into the Salvationist family of Ralph and Gwen Leidy in Zanesville, Ohio. He was active in the Coshocton, Ohio, Corps and played in the band, which he said kept him “on the straight and narrow.”

He accepted Christ while stationed at Fort Pierce, Fla., with the U.S. Army during World War II, and he soon felt the call to Salvation Army officership.

Ralph entered the New York Training College in 1946 as part of the Warriors session. Upon his commissioning in 1947, he served as an assistant corps officer in Ohio. In 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Captain Mary Hoops, and the couple served corps in Ohio, New York, and Puerto Rico. They also served in divisional and ARC appointments, along with a stint at the Williams Memorial Residence in New York City.

The Leidys retired in 1991 and settled in Clearwater, Fla., where they were active in the corps. They also gave post–retirement service at the Williams Memorial Residence and at Camp Ladore in Pennsylvania.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Major Barbara Howell of Atlanta, Ga.; two sons, Ralph R. Leidy Jr. of Webster, N.H., and John Leidy of Gaffney, S.C.; and one granddaughter. Messages to the family may be sent to Major Mrs. Mary Leidy, 2170 Americus Blvd, N. #20, Clearwater, FL 33763–2856, e-mail: HOOPSY6@AOL.COM. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army, Clearwater, Fla., to be used for the corps band.