Dr. Ralph Vance

Dr. Ralph Burroughs Vance was born Dec. 25, 1911 in Greensburg, PA, the eighth of ten children of Elva Georgette (Georga) Miller Vance and Glenn G. Vance. As a child, he experienced a series of serious illnesses that Ralph always said “propelled me into the medical profession, and made me realize that sickness is not an appropriate way to cope with life.” Ralph earned a degree in Fine Arts and Letters from Penn State University in 1929 and completed his medical education at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, graduating with honors in 1938. Ralph established a general medical practice in Salem, OH where he was known as a skilled diagnostician and later, the sole physician provider of home births. His belief in natural childbirth took him to many homes across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. He was a dedicated physician for over 50 years, providing services irrespective of ability to pay. Ralph married Helene Mori in 1938, and they had one child, Suzanne. He then partnered with and eventually married the love of his life, Ruth Baltorinic and they had three children; G. Grant, Elizabeth and Julia. Their life together was cut short in 1969 by her death at the age of 41 from lung cancer. Ralph never recovered from this loss, and he reminisced frequently in his last years about his life with Ruth. He married Sheryl Maloy in 1976, they had one daughter, Kerry and he also raised Sheryl’s two sons. Ralph loved his family's cottage in Chautauqua, New York and happily spent his summers after retirement there, wintering in Oregon or California with his children until his health prevented him from traveling. He moved to Madison, WI in January 2009 to be nearer his daughters Julia and Liz, and granddaughter Katy. Their time together this last year was a source of comfort and delight for all. He died peacefully at the age of 97 with Liz and Julia at his side on August 12, 2009. Ralph was preceded in death by his siblings: Katharine, Margaret, Dorothy, John, Elizabeth, Alberta, Glenn, Barbara and Robert, and his granddaughter Natalie. He is survived by his children, Suzy Vance of Prescott, Arizona, Grant Vance of El Cerrito, CA, Liz Vance and Julia Vance of Madison, WI, and Kerry Vance of Salem, OH. Stepsons, Timothy Michaels of Savannah, GA and Thomas Michaels of Salem. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many extended family members. Visitation is planned for 11:30 am Sept 12, 2009 at Brown Funeral Home in Salem, OH with a celebration of his life to follow at 12:30. Interment will be in Chautauqua, New York next to Ruth.....may they be dancing together for eternity. Friends may sign the guest register at www.brownfhonline.com. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home, Salem Ohio.

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