Ralph E. Biddle

May 4, 1921 - December 9, 2014
Ralph E. Biddle

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Ralph E. Biddle, Sr., 93, of Hendersonville passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock after a brief illness. A native of Cleveland, Ohio and a long-time resident of Hendersonville and Cleveland, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Edgar and Grace Biddle, and the husband of the late Vivian McLaughlin Biddle, and the late Eugenia Crump Biddle.

He had a long career as an award-winning design engineer in the stove manufacturing industry, working for noted manufacturers throughout the South and Mid-West. He was awarded two patents during his career, which he shared with engineering teams at the Norge Appliance Company and Amana Corporation. He held local and regional posts in the American Gas Association and was a member of the School Board of Cleveland, Tennessee.

He attended Western Reserve University before enlisting in the U.S. Army in World War II. He served in the F Troop of the 124th U.S. Calvary and fought in the China-Burma-India campaign. He was awarded a Purple Heart and five battle stars for his actions in combat on the Burma Road. His Horse Calvary troop trained on horseback at the Ft Riley, KS, Cavalry School.

He is survived by his two sons, Ralph Jr., of Philadelphia, PA, and Alan, of Annandale, VA; four grandchildren, Andrew of Christchurch, NZ; Lindsey Gilkes of Pittsburgh, PA, Lisa of Alexandria, VA, and Ralph Ward of 29 Palms, CA; and two great-granddaughters, Riley and Philippa of Christchurch, NZ.

Internment of his ashes will be in a private family service at a later date. Memorials may be sent to Four Season Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.


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