Ralph Scott Sando – 50th Reunion Essay

Ralph Scott Sando

Date of Death: 13-Oct-2007

College: Morse

(Jim Schweitzer submitted this memorial to the January/February 2008 Class Notes.)

I’m sorry to have to pass on the sad news that our classmate, Ralph Sando, died of cancer in mid-October 2007. Ralph, who was a prominent ophthalmologist in Philadelphia, is survived by his wonderful wife Joyce, whom he met our junior year and married in 1970; three children, all of whom graduated from Yale; and four grandchildren. Ralph was devoted to his family, his patients, and his community. He was a patron of the arts and a tireless and generous supporter of Yale. Lengthy articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, written after Ralph died, detailed his extraordinary career, achievements too numerous to mention, and the incredible work he did in his community. You can find the Daily News piece at www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/10568412.html.

All his professional accomplishments aside, Ralph was undoubtedly most proud of his family: his “Belle Amie” Joyce and his children Ralph Jr. ’93, Holly Rieck ’95, and Blake ’99. Ralph Jr. was Ralph’s partner in their medical practice; Holly and Blake are attorneys. Ralph’s funeral was October 20 in Bryn Mawr and each of his children gave a separate eulogy. They were each remarkable—eloquent, touching, funny, heartbreaking. Each captured Ralph perfectly, each in a different way. Many of our classmates came to the funeral: Dave Stretch, John Yarmuth, Robb High, Don Galligan, Larry Franks (and wife Ellen), Steve Dixon (and wife Peg), Quent Lawson (and wife Ellen), Kim Morsman (and wife Ingrid). It was a nice turnout of Ralph’s roommates, other Morse College buddies, and DKE fraternity brothers, and it was a tribute to the strength of the friendships Ralph made—and maintained—over more than four decades. But it was a sad day.

Excerpts from philly.com: It must have been a treat to go to Dr. Ralph S. Sando’s office. Patients could be assured of a cheery greeting by a man who not only knew their names, but also something about their lives and families. He was an ophthalmologist, but he regarded each patient as a special friend, and he often treated more than their eye problems.

“A truly compassionate man, his office staff and fellow physicians believe his genuine kindness and gentle heart helped most patients with more than just eye-related problems,” his family wrote. “He devoted his life to cultivating this intimate circle of ‘the five best friends,’ as he referred to himself and his family, which they believe will forever root and bind them in life and thereafter.”

His wife of 37 years, the former Joyce Seewald, emphasized that her husband was a man who lived life to its fullest. “He was always having fun,” she said. That fun consisted of skiing, golfing, playing tennis, and sailing the Chesapeake Bay with his family. He also enjoyed traveling. They toured the United States, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.”