Ralph D Bohn

Ralph D. Bohn, 89, a lifelong resident of Scranton, passed away Sunday at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton. His wife of 65 years, Margaretta Anna Noto Bohn (Marge), and other family members were by his side.

Born in Scranton, at home, the same home he still lived in, he was the son of the late Frank and Edna Nye Bohn. He was a 1953 graduate of the Johnson Trade School (now Johnson College of Technology) where he studied cabinet making and architectural design. After graduation he worked as a cabinet maker until he joined the United States Army in 1955 where he worked as a radar operator on the Nike Missile Project in Arlington Heights outside of Chicago. He was honorably discharged as a specialist second class with decorations as a sharpshooter and as a first class artilleryman. Upon returning from his service in the United States Army he briefly worked as a cabinet maker again until he joined the Insulators Union and worked as a pipe insulator for the next 39 years in capacities from journeyman through project manager. He would often comment on numerous buildings in the area that he had a part in building.

Ralph was a devout Christian. He was a member of several congregations over the years, most recently Hickory Street Presbyterian Church, Scranton. He was often serving the church doing anything from making pancakes for a church breakfast to serving on the board or vestry. Ralph was musically gifted as well and for much of his life enjoyed singing in the church choir. Ralph loved people and was always willing to help. If something needed to be done, you could always count on Ralph.

Ralph loved his family more than anything and made family time a priority. He made numerous trips to North Carolina to visit grandchildren and also made visits to Nana and Papa’s house extra special. He always made time for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always ensuring they knew they were loved, special and appreciated. Ralph was also a master of all trades and often used his skills to the benefit of family and friends. His love language was acts of service and particularly building or creating things to fill a need. Ralph could do anything from installing a foundation to framing a house, plumbing, heating, electrical, building porches, decks and anything else you can think of. His cabinet making skills came in handy to build numerous pieces of custom furniture for family and a magnificent built-in china cabinet for Marge’s large china collection. He was always on the move, always helping others, and always wanted to have a project when he visited family or friends.

Next to family and faith, Ralph perhaps loved antique cars the most. He was one of the founding members of the Scranton Region Antique Automobile Club of America where he volunteered in numerous capacities and served several times as president. Together with Marge they enjoyed years of involvement in club activities and built lasting friendships. Over the course of their lives Ralph and Marge owned several dozen antique cars. Ralph loved working on all aspects of his cars to make them just right. When space became a problem he simply built a larger garage leveraging his architectural skills. Ralph and Marge also loved taking their Ford Model A on runs with the Steamtown A’s club.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Joseph (wife, Karen); daughter-in-law, Judy Bohn; grandchildren, Ralph Bohn III, Joshua Bohn (wife, Amanda), Alan Bohn and Sarah Hilton (husband, Drew); great-grandchildren, Greta, Joshua, Micah, Henry and Hayes; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Ralph Bohn Jr., in 2005; his sisters, Eleanor Hughes, Thelma Mehall, Ruth Kafchinski and Betty Bohn; and his brothers, Frank Bohn Jr. and Robert Bohn.

The funeral will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Hickory Street Presbyterian Church, 435 Hickory St., Scranton, PA 18505. Interment with military honors to follow in Old Forge Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service starting at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Corey Brian Strauch Funeral Home, Scranton.