RECENTLY DEPARTED (v.14 #2, p.24)

Ralph Alan Dale, internationally known composer, songwriter, conductor, cartographer, activist, author, acupuncturist, born July 12, 1920 Long Beach NY, died Oct. 7, 2006 at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland OH. A pupil of Stefan Wolpe, Dr. Dale taught at Adelphi University, Brooklyn College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hofstra University, Queens College, Hunter High School, and C.W. Post College, where he foundedthe Music Department and the Long Island Community Orchestra and Chorus, which he conducted. A retrospective concert was given at Post in his honor Nov. 13, 1996. His song "Il Bacio" was recorded by Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman on Capstone CPS-8667 in 1999. His musical play Jericho was premiered at Appel Farm Arts Camp in 2003. His life and work were celebrated by about 90 people at a private memorial Sat., Dec. 2 in North Miami Beach. Our sympathies go out to his surviving wife and partner Hendrina Ophey, and his identical twin brothers Bernard and Charles Ditchik, identical twin sisters Mildred Sperling and Muriel Smith, stepsons Donald and Paul Bluestone, nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren.
--Leonard Lehrman