Ralph A. Harder

Ralph Albert Harder, dairy farmer, public health professional, World War II combat veteran and long time participant in the civic life of Holland Township died November 19, 2020 at Hunterdon Medical Center from complications of Covid-19 virus infection. He was 97.

Born February 21, 1923 in Yonkers, New York, Ralph attended Yonkers schools before graduating from Horace Mann Academy in 1941. After one year at Rutgers University he enlisted in a special forces unit of the U.S. Army that became the 10th Mountain Division. He trained in high altitude mountain warfare at Camp Hale in the Colorado Rockies prior to service as a heavy machine gunner in the 3rd Battalion's campaign to drive the German's out of northern Italy at the end of the war in Europe. Wounded at Torbole in May of 1945 just prior to the German surrender, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

During military training, before shipping out to Italy, Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Virginia (Ginna) Vail also of Yonkers. After the war he and Ginna returned to Rutgers where Ralph resumed his studies, They started a family and in 1950 moved to Holland Township where Ralph began dairy farming, fulfilling a boyhood dream.

He farmed for 10 years then started a career with the New Jersey Department of Health that lasted over 20 years. During a sabbatical year in 1965, Ralph and Ginna moved to New York City where Ralph attended Columbia University graduating with a Masters in Public Health.

While raising their family on the farm, Ralph and Ginna both believed in contributing to the life of their community. Ralph served on the Holland Township School Board and the Holland Township Health Board. He was a Boy Scout leader and for many years secretary of the Milford Lion's Club. He was a founding member of Oak Hill golf course. This gave him entry into an informal group of enthusiasts, "The Rock Pickers", so named for their early efforts at turning farmland into fairways.

Ralph always kept a large vegetable garden. His skill as a gardener invariably produced many over-sized zucchinis. That a golfing buddy might find a large zucchini surreptitiously placed in his golf bag, was testament both to Ralph's sense of humor and his waste-not-want-not approach to gardening.

In retirement, Ralph and Ginna enjoyed family time, travel, New York City theater, contract bridge, winters in their condo in St. Martin and an active social life.

He was pre-deceased by his wife, Ginna, his sister Harriet and his parents Ralph N. and Hazel Harder of Yonkers, New York.

He is survived by his children and their spouses: Margo and Richard Lawless of South Easton, Massachusetts, Ralph and Melinda Harder of Auburn, Maine and David and Linda Harder of Milford, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hunterdon Family Medicine at Delaware Valley, Hunterdon Healthcare Home Health as well as his personal caretakers -Beth, Tina and Vicky - for their help in allowing Ralph to live in his home on the farm that he loved until his death.

A memorial service to celebrate Ralph's life will be held at a later date. Private burial will be in Milford Union Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Milford, NJ.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Milford Lions Club, PO Box 223, Milford, NJ 08848, Doctors Without Borders or a charity of one's choosing.

Condolences

From: Melody Hamlin
Dave, Linda, the entire Harder family: One of my favorite people of all times! Such a sweet and gentle man. Working in our little local grocery store, I had the privilege of seeing my little friend from time to time. I would ask him, "Mr. Harder, can I help you carry your groceries to your car?" His answer would be, "Not quite yet Melody, but some day maybe." It was always a bright spot in my day when I saw him. He would ask, "Is Eddie behaving himself?" What a wonderful, hard working, accomplished man. Mr. Harder, you will be missed on Earth, Heaven gained a top notch guy!! Melody and "Eddie" Hamlin

From: Alicia Pokoik Deters
Sending love and condolences from Vail, Colorado.

From: Alicia Pokoik Deters
Sending love and condolences from Vail, Colorado.

From: Ed & Kris Burdzy
Our condolences on the passing of your father and grandfather. Your father and my fathers knew each other as pioneers in the New Jersey Public Health Officers Association. I enjoyed his stories over the years. May He Rest In Peace.

From: Janet and Tom S
David, we were so sorry to read of the loss of your father. We know you have always been a great help to so many others in the past -- and know others can and will help in comforting and encouraging you now. May God also comfort you and your family and give you strength to cope with your loss. -- Janet and Tom S (Nazareth PA)

From: Bruce Montgomery
To all that knew Mr.Harder While i only knew Mr.Harder as a child knows an adult, i do know what he raised as children. All smart, kind and with wry senses of humor... willing and able to help. My condolences have already been shared privately with them but i wanted to publicly do so also. great man and wonderful family-bruce

From: Tom Perry
Condolences from me and my brothers Andy and David on the passing of Ralph. He and Ginna were great friends to our parents - Donald and Helen - and we have many fond memories of them. After Donald and Ginna passed, Ralph would help Helen on shopping trips to Shop-rite when her eyesight was almost completely gone. The funny thing was that Ralph's hearing was almost as bad! Helen: "Can you read how many calories this has?" Ralph: "What?" A wonderful and generous man.

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