Ralph Sanderson was born in Knoxville TN on March 17, 1943 and died peacefully on September 18, 2025 at 82 years old. His family moved to Dayton OH in 1951 and a job transfer with Key Bank brought him to Cleveland in 1992. He retired from Key Bank in 1998 as a vice president in Mortgage Bank Accounting, having worked at Key Bank 39 years. Ralph served in the US Army Vietnam in 1967/1968. Ralph was a 1975 graduate of the School for Bank Administration at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was an active member and volunteer at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Cleveland. Ralph loved to travel and did so extensively until his mid-seventies. He was also an active member of the Rainbow Pioneers at the LGBT Community Center in Cleveland. A Memorial Service will be held 1PM, Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Pilgrim UCC Church, 2592 W. 14th St. Cleveland, Ohio 44113. Reception to follow.
The world has lost an amazingly generous, gracious, and compassionate man. Rest in peace. We will long remember you and all that you accomplished for the LGBT community.
Ralph Sanderson was a good friend to me during our days at Liberation UCC. He lived his faith and carried himself with quiet dignity. Rest easy.
Sunday morning at Liberation would not be right if Ralph wasn’t there to greet! Heaven gained a beautiful angel this week.
Ralph was one of the nicest, kindest people it has ever been my pleasure to know. I already miss him terribly.
Ralph was the first person I met at the Dayton Gay Center 43 years ago. We shared many trips to New York over the years. He was the kindest person I’ve ever known. I will miss him terribly.
Ralph was a very decent person.
Ralph was truly the kindness and most gentle human i’ve ever known. I met him only 5 years ago, but he impacted me more than I think he ever knew. We will miss him so dearly at the Center.
I looked up to Ralph as a role model of how to be a loving, caring, and gentle man. He is sorely missed at our monthly book club.
Ralph’s smile had a way of lighting up every room he entered at the Center. His presence brought warmth and joy. His kindness was remarkable, and I will always hold his memory close to my heart.