Published: January 13, 2007 03:46 pm      

Dr. John Ralph Harrel

San Marcos — Dr. John Ralph Harrel, 88, retired Dean of Fine Arts and Communication at Southwest Texas State University, died Jan. 10, 2007 of natural causes. Born and reared in Kansas, Ralph will be best remembered for his love of music and knowledge, his quick wit, and his interest in people. Ralph's studies began at Bethany College, and he subsequently earned a fellowship for graduate study at the Juilliard School of Music. While studying piano at the Juilliard under Olga Samaroff, Ralph's studies were interrupted for four years by World War II, during which he served as Warrant Officer Bandleader at three military bases. The jazz band he directed during the war welcomed home troops returning from Europe.

Following the war, Ralph resumed his studies, earning a Post Graduate Diploma in piano from the Juilliard School and an M.A. from Columbia University. After teaching piano at Columbia, Ralph returned to his Alma Mater, Bethany College in Kansas, and conducted

performances with the 500-voice Bethany Oratorio Society of Handel's "Messiah" and J.S. Bach's "St. Matthew Passion.” In 1951 he returned to graduate school, earning a Doctorate at Columbia University. It was during this time that he enrolled in a class in two-piano performance at the Juilliard and met the love of his life and wife of fifty-six years, Doris Leland-Harrel. While Ralph taught at Columbia Teachers College, he and Doris operated a piano studio in Roslyn, New York.

Ralph took a position as Professor of Piano at Morningside College in Iowa in 1960. In 1963, he became Chairman of the Music Department. He and his family moved to San Marcos in 1968 where Ralph accepted a similar position at Southwest Texas State University. In 1971 he was appointed to the Deanship and remained in that position until 1985. He retired in 1988. In retirement, Ralph found pleasure in reading, practicing the piano, traveling, laughing, and enjoying his family. Despite some aches and pains, he persisted in staying interested in the world and its people.

Trained primarily as a pianist, he appeared both as a soloist and as a duo-pianist with his wife. He also served as a choral director and organist in three colleges and several churches.

Survivors include his wife, Doris, of San Marcos; a son, Dean and wife Susan, and grandsons Leland and Kent, all of Pasadena. A daughter, Jennie Elliott and her husband, Jim, and their children, John and Wendy, live in Lafayette, Colorado.

A memorial service celebrating his life and legacy will be held at a later date to be announced. Memorials are suggested to be sent to the Scholarship Fund of the Music Department, Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, 78666.