Obituary of Ralph Hertzsprung

October 30, 1931 – Calgary, Alberta

October 5, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Ralph Hertzsprung, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the age of 91 years.

Ralph Hertzsprung was born to parents Kaj and Julie (Alling) Hertzsprung on October 30, 1931, joining his older brother Irwin. He grew up in downtown Calgary, attending the public schools there and working in the family business, The Calgary Bindery Limited, which was started by his grandfather, Frederick Hertzsprung.

Music was an important part of life and Ralph learned to play the piano and trumpet.

At the end of grade 8, he decided to continue to high school, where he studied mechanics and woodworking for grades 10 through 12. After graduating, he asked the principal if he could return for one more year to study maths and sciences. He was then able to study at the University of Calgary for two years and completed his Bachelor of Education degree in Edmonton at the University of Alberta.

He stated that he was “soundly converted and experienced the Lord’s guidance to an unusual level”, while in grade 9. It was at the Manchester Gospel Tabernacle that he met Lois Lillian Reed, from Three Hills, who was in Calgary to attend the Henderson Secretarial School. They were engaged for several years and married on May 7, 1955, a few weeks after Ralph completed his degree.

Ralph and Lois felt God calling them to get involved full-time in missions. They joined The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) and went to India in 1960.

After studying the Marathi language during their first months in the country, they moved on to fill a variety of roles in education, administration, and leadership. For many years, Ralph’s main goal was to hand the mission churches and ministries over to the local church legally and formally. Lois was always his secretary and assistant in the office.

Two daughters, Colleen and Valerie, joined their family while still in Canada, and then a son, Evan, while in India. According to the custom of that time, the children attended boarding schools with an American curriculum. Ralph and Lois assisted at the elementary boarding school, as house parents and Ralph as a teacher. Holidays were always a fun time, with picnics, special celebrations of birthdays and Christmas, and trips to the hills in the hot season.

After Ralph’s ordination in 1976, the last 14 years of Ralph and Lois’ India ministry were devoted to church planting in the city of Bombay (now Mumbai). Together, Lois and Ralph helped establish the Open Bible Fellowship, both the English and Marathi congregations. The church continues to thrive, and Ralph took great joy in hearing from friends, giving advice if it was requested, and most recently visiting for a month in 2013.

In 1990, Ralph and Lois returned to Canada to help support Ralph’s mother in her elderly years. They ministered at the First Evangelical Free Church on Elbow Drive, in the Hope for Life congregation in SW Calgary, and in the Chinese Evangelical Free Church, teaching ESL classes to many students.

Ralph was proactive when it came to planning for his future. He chose when they should downsize and move from their home in Calgary to a 50+ condominium in Arbour Lake. A few years later, they chose to live with their daughter and husband for almost two years. When their medical needs became too challenging, they moved to Hillcrest Extendicare in 2019.

Lois died peacefully on July 23, 2020, after 65 years of marriage, and Ralph carried on without her.

Starting in the spring of 2020, he began teaching a Bible class at Hillcrest on Sunday mornings. He continued that ministry and was prepared for his next class on October 8, 2023. Our thanks go to the staff of Hillcrest, who valued his contribution to their community.

Ralph is survived by his daughters Colleen (Ian) Charter and Val (Neil) Carleton; son Evan (Meyen) Hertzsprung, grandchildren, Emily Charter (Noah Sommerfeld) and Richard Charter (Tessa), Erin (Jordan) Lamoureux, Liam (Jess) Hertzsprung, and Alys Hertzsprung; and great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Emmett, Charis, Ira, Shad, Malachi, and Beatrice.

A Memorial Service will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Ralph’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted for one month. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ralph’s family here.

In living memory of Ralph Hertzsprung, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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