Ralph Stanley Pomeroy

Aug. 31, 1926 – Feb. 8, 2013

Ralph Stanley Pomeroy, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at the University Retirement Community in Davis.

He was born to Stanley and Florence Pomeroy on Aug. 31, 1926,  in Alameda. He grew up with two sisters, Elsie and Pat. As a youngster, Ralph enjoyed stamp collecting and performing magic tricks. Ralph would often practice his magic tricks on his sister Pat (much to her chagrin). He loved movies all through his teen years and continued that love throughout his entire life. He was also quite a storyteller and could keep others entertained.

As he moved into his adult life, he served two tours in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War, serving on the USS St. Paul as an operating room technician. While in the Navy, Ralph would volunteer to serve as the master of ceremonies for occasional shipboard entertainment programs for his fellow sailors. At such a shipboard program during the Korean War, Ralph was approached by a CBS executive, who offered him a position following his completion of military service. Ralph declined this offer, explaining that he wanted to complete his university education and become a university professor.

Ralph was a member of the California Free and Accepted Masons through the Oak Grove Lodge #215, and was raised as a Master Mason on April 8, 1948.

He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University. Ralph taught at UC Davis as a professor of rhetoric and communication for 32 years. At his retirement party, a number of colleagues stated that Ralph was seen as among the most well-read members of the faculty. He was an avid reader of poetry and expressed himself through his own poetry writing. Ralph was a resident of Davis for 55 years.

In 1970, Ralph married Jane Huser whom he always referred to as “the love of my life.” Both Jane and Ralph had children from previous marriages. Jane brought her three sons: Mark, Stanley and Daniel. Ralph brought four sons and a daughter: Doug, Bruce, Scott, Andy and Heather. Jane was loved deeply by all who were blessed to know her. She preceded Ralph in death having passed in February of last year. Ralph is survived by all of their children and many grandchildren.

Ralph was a member of the Davis Community Church where he attended with Jane since the early 1970’s. He and Jane lived the later part of their lives at the University Retirement Community of Davis. Jane was instrumental in the development of the URC. Together, Ralph and Jane moved into the University Retirement Community in 2000. During his time at the URC, Ralph enjoyed presenting various film series through the Performing Arts Committee. He also enjoyed the friendships of many wonderful individuals living in the URC.

A graveside service is planned for family and close friends at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 25, at the Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Road. A refreshment reception immediately follows at Davis Community Church, 412 C St. in Davis.