1st Lieut. US Army Air Forces
World War II
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air medal & 12 OLC
Ralph G. McConnell, 86, of Springfield, Delaware County, a retired educator and decorated World War II veteran, died of complications from a stroke June 18 at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Mr. McConnell grew up in Upper Darby and graduated from Upper Darby High School. After earning a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, he taught at a private boys' school in Asheville, N.C.
During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps in Europe as a bombardier. He flew 72 combat missions, including missions to support the D-Day invasion, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After his discharge, he taught American literature at Muhlenberg College and then earned a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1952, he joined the faculty of Upper Darby High School, where he taught English and later was department chairman for 12 years. He developed an English handbook for incoming students and introduced and taught a course on comparative religions. An avid tennis player, he coached the school tennis team for 17 years. He also coached tennis in the summer. He retired in 1984.
Mr. McConnell served on several committees at the Covenant United Methodist Church in Springfield. He enjoyed wood-working, travel and crossword puzzles.
His first wife, Van McConnell, with whom he had a son, died in 1963. In 1969, he married Marie Walter, a widow with two sons.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Kevin Walter, Mark McConnell and Bradford Walter; two sisters; a brother; and 12 grandchildren.
[Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Date: June 29, 2004]
World War II
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air medal & 12 OLC
Ralph G. McConnell, 86, of Springfield, Delaware County, a retired educator and decorated World War II veteran, died of complications from a stroke June 18 at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Mr. McConnell grew up in Upper Darby and graduated from Upper Darby High School. After earning a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, he taught at a private boys' school in Asheville, N.C.
During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps in Europe as a bombardier. He flew 72 combat missions, including missions to support the D-Day invasion, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After his discharge, he taught American literature at Muhlenberg College and then earned a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1952, he joined the faculty of Upper Darby High School, where he taught English and later was department chairman for 12 years. He developed an English handbook for incoming students and introduced and taught a course on comparative religions. An avid tennis player, he coached the school tennis team for 17 years. He also coached tennis in the summer. He retired in 1984.
Mr. McConnell served on several committees at the Covenant United Methodist Church in Springfield. He enjoyed wood-working, travel and crossword puzzles.
His first wife, Van McConnell, with whom he had a son, died in 1963. In 1969, he married Marie Walter, a widow with two sons.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Kevin Walter, Mark McConnell and Bradford Walter; two sisters; a brother; and 12 grandchildren.
[Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Date: June 29, 2004]
1st Lieut. US Army Air Forces
World War II
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air medal & 12 OLC
Ralph G. McConnell, 86, of Springfield, Delaware County, a retired educator and decorated World War II veteran, died of complications from a stroke June 18 at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Mr. McConnell grew up in Upper Darby and graduated from Upper Darby High School. After earning a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, he taught at a private boys' school in Asheville, N.C.
During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps in Europe as a bombardier. He flew 72 combat missions, including missions to support the D-Day invasion, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After his discharge, he taught American literature at Muhlenberg College and then earned a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1952, he joined the faculty of Upper Darby High School, where he taught English and later was department chairman for 12 years. He developed an English handbook for incoming students and introduced and taught a course on comparative religions. An avid tennis player, he coached the school tennis team for 17 years. He also coached tennis in the summer. He retired in 1984.
Mr. McConnell served on several committees at the Covenant United Methodist Church in Springfield. He enjoyed wood-working, travel and crossword puzzles.
His first wife, Van McConnell, with whom he had a son, died in 1963. In 1969, he married Marie Walter, a widow with two sons.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Kevin Walter, Mark McConnell and Bradford Walter; two sisters; a brother; and 12 grandchildren.
[Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Date: June 29, 2004]
World War II
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air medal & 12 OLC
Ralph G. McConnell, 86, of Springfield, Delaware County, a retired educator and decorated World War II veteran, died of complications from a stroke June 18 at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Mr. McConnell grew up in Upper Darby and graduated from Upper Darby High School. After earning a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, he taught at a private boys' school in Asheville, N.C.
During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps in Europe as a bombardier. He flew 72 combat missions, including missions to support the D-Day invasion, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After his discharge, he taught American literature at Muhlenberg College and then earned a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1952, he joined the faculty of Upper Darby High School, where he taught English and later was department chairman for 12 years. He developed an English handbook for incoming students and introduced and taught a course on comparative religions. An avid tennis player, he coached the school tennis team for 17 years. He also coached tennis in the summer. He retired in 1984.
Mr. McConnell served on several committees at the Covenant United Methodist Church in Springfield. He enjoyed wood-working, travel and crossword puzzles.
His first wife, Van McConnell, with whom he had a son, died in 1963. In 1969, he married Marie Walter, a widow with two sons.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Kevin Walter, Mark McConnell and Bradford Walter; two sisters; a brother; and 12 grandchildren.
[Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Date: June 29, 2004]
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