NORTH MANCHESTER – Dr. Ralph Book McBride, 86, North Manchester, died at 3 a.m. Nov. 9, 2014, in Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester. He was born Feb. 1, 1928, in Slippery Rock, Pa., to Ralph A. and Margaret Eleanor Book McBride. On Dec. 27, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Keagle, who survives. He was a Navy veteran, and a professor of mathematics at Manchester College from 1965 until 1993, and was head of the department for 15 years. He graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1945 and from Slippery Rock State Teacher’s College in 1951. He received a master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and his PhD from the University of Michigan in 1971. He also studied at the University of Pittsburgh, Montclair (N.J.) State University and the University of Maryland. His passion was teaching, and he dedicated his life in helping to prepare teachers of mathematics at both the elementary school and high school levels. In addition to teaching, he served as faculty athletics representative for the college to the athletic conferences. Following his retirement, he was asked to serve as secretary-treasurer for the Heartland Conference. He was on the board of directors of ARC of Wabash County, serving one term as president. In 1998 ARC honored him with their Benefactor’s Award. Shortly following his retirement, he was asked to fill a vacated position as town judge, and following that term he ran for and was elected for a second term. He was very much involved in service to his Lord Jesus Christ and the church. Prior to coming to North Manchester, he had been a deacon in the Vandergrift, Pa., First Baptist Church. In his years here he was a member of the First Brethren Church, where he served as deacon, moderator, Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader and choir member. He was a tenor and provided music for weddings, funerals, services at Timbercrest and Peabody Retirement Communities, etc. In 1997, he and Joyce began to spend their winter months in a retirement community in Winter Haven, Fla., where he continued his love for music as a choir member and soloist. The first year there, he organized and led a men’s Bible study in their home, with an average attendance of 16 members, which has continued until his death. Also surviving are a daughter, Margie Miller, Warsaw; two sons, R. Craig (and spouse Melanie) McBride, Fort Wayne, and Timothy W. McBride, Dana Pointe, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Evy Knox, Slippery Rock, Pa., and Jean Quinn, Elderton, Pa.; and a brother, Harold McBride, Butler, Pa. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore St., North Manchester, with Pastor Kurt Stout officiating. Burial is in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at McKee Mortuary, 1401 Ind. 114W, North Manchester, and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. ***** Memorials to Mission of Hope, Haiti, P.O. Box 60004, Fort Myers, FL 33906 or First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore St., North Manchester, IN 46962. Condolences may be sent via mckeemortuary.com
