Rev. Robert H. RALSTON

RALSTON, MCGRANAHAN, BROWN, HENDRICKSON, MORRIS, SEARS, WOOLLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/30/2008 at 21:21:08

Reverend Robert H. Ralston, 92, went to be with the Lord on September 28, 2008. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 2, at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Rd. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Rd.

Bob was born April 3, 1916 in Freeport, PA to Hugh Given Ralston and Elma McGranahan. He was an Eagle Scout during his time in high school. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA in 1937 with honors. He then graduated cum laude in 1940 from Pittsburgh- Xenia Theological Seminary. In 1940 Bob married Laura (Ary) Brown of Millcreek, PA, who preceded him in death in 1971. Together they had three children. He received an honorary Doctorate degree from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA in 1971. In 1973 he married Dorothy "Dottie" Hendrickson of Leawood, KS who preceded him in death in 2007. He accepted the call to the Second Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles and then Westminster United Presbyterian of Los Angeles. In 1952 he accepted the call to the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion, Iowa. In 1955, the Session called him to Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village where one of his favorite duties included giving children stories during services. In 1958 Bob became organizing pastor at Rolling Hills Presbyterian where he remained as Senior Pastor for 23 years until retirement in 1981. Bob enjoyed a lifetime interest in Abraham Lincoln lore and gave over 70 speeches on the subject. He volunteered for American Red Cross and American Cancer Society of Johnson County. He taught the largest "Primetimers" class at Colonial Presbyterian Church and was Chaplain of Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

He is survived by his children Richard Ralston and wife Jeanne of Liberty, MO, James Ralston and wife Linda of Hillsboro, NH, Sue Morris and husband Erwin of Allentown, PA, Dr. Jenean Sears and husband Robert of Spring Hill, KS, Drs. Jon Hendrickson and wife Denise of Ft. Smith, AR; grandchildren Sean Sears, Heath Sears, Tim Ralston, Bill Ralston, Seth Sears, Tom Ralston, Andrew Ralston, Nicole Woolley, Lisa Morris, Michael Hendrickson, Angela Hendrickson and Molly Morris; and fourteen great- grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 6700 Antioch Rd., Suite 100, Merriam, KS 66204. (Arr: Mt. Moriah & Freeman )

Kansas City Star, MO
9/30/2008