Obituary - Ralph Wogalter

Dr. Ralph Wogalter died on March 7, 2024. Born on October 22, 1927 in Tel Aviv, Israel but came to the U.S. when he was two years old with his parents, Norman and Mina, who emigrated from Russia in the late 1920s with his brother, Dr. Harry Wogalter, now of Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Wogalter practiced optometry (O.D.) for over 50 years in both downtown Richmond, and in Louisa, VA. He resided most of his life in West End Richmond at his home on Peachtree Blvd and in later years at Morningside in the West End assisted living facility on Skipwith Rd. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, NY and was a student in both City College and Brooklyn College (CUNY) as an undergraduate. Ralph was World War II veteran who served as medic aide in the U.S. Army while stationed in Alaska. He was a long-term fraternal Freemason. He was a passionate reader of numerous periodicals including the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper which he read every day for over 60 years. He was an avid swimmer in high school and played tennis until his mid 70s. He loved gardening. His longtime wife, Laura Gonick Wogalter, who he knew since grade school passed away in October 2009. He will be buried next to her grave. They had three children: Michael S. Wogalter, Rosanne W. Wilson (Barry), and Kevin J. Wogalter (Robin), and 6 grandchildren: Max Wilson (Denise), Sam Wilson (Jessica), and Grace Wilson Edwards (David), Tyler Wogalter, Nikki Koval, and Corey Wogalter. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favorite charity of your choosing. Funeral will be held at Beth El Cemetery at 12 PM (noon) Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT) , Sunday, March 10 2024 at the Forest Lawn entrance at 110 Oronco Ave (off of Alma and Laburnum Aves.) in the adjacent chapel and at the gravesite.