Ralph Herbert Dunlap's Obituary
Ralph Herbert Dunlap, 72, of Clearwater, Florida, passed Thursday, February 12, 2015 at his residence under Hospice Care. He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and moved to Florida in 2002 from Mechanicsburg, PA. Ralph served his country in the United States Airforce. He was a member of the American Legion.
Ralph worked as the Sales Director and developed the Daily Express Special Equipment Department during his career at Daily Express in Carlise, PA.. He was known as the "King of construction equipment" and was a friend to everyone in the construction industry. Daily Express played a huge part in Ralph's life over the years and we are blessed to have met such wonderful people along the way. You all know who you are!
Ralph was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative brain disease. He participated in a clinical trial at USF to help the medical world learn more about the disease and to help find a cure. Although the trial was unsuccessful, he plugged through the years of losing his inability to walk and talk. One thing though, he always had his mind and memory! He loved watching football and baseball on tv and spending time with his friends and family. We have met many health care professionals during his journey and are thankful for all their support, especially our buddy "Macus".
Due to this disease affecting our family at such a young age, Ralph would have wanted any donations to go to the "CurePSP Foundation". As a daughter and nurse for many years, the first I ever heard of such as disease was sitting next to my father during a Dr's appointment. I have heard of Parkinson's disease and ALS. . . but never PSP. I want to thank the CurePSP Foundation and their website for helping our family understand the disease and all the wonderful information and support it has provided to us.
The CurePSP website is located at: http://www.psp.org/index.html. Donations can be made at: http://www.psp.org/donate/.
The family plans to have Ralph's celebration of life sometime this summer on the Delaware Bay.
You will be missed. . . "BIG R".
He is survived by his loving wife, Donna; son, Shawn Dunlap of FL., daughter, Veronica Dunlap of FL.; mother, May Stover of PA.; brother, Gary Stover of PA.; sister, Linda Elser of PA.; sister, Ruth Stover of PA.; grandchildren, Christopher and Sarah Dunlap.
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