Rev. Ralph M. Donaldson

Pastor emeritus, Emmanuel U.P. Church, Eighty Four. The Rev. Ralph M. Donaldson, 84, of Washington, died Saturday, February 17, 2007. He was born in Beaver, a son of William F. and Isabel Donaldson. His parents were great Christian examples. He was strongly influenced by Ralph McGranahan, his maternal grandfather and a Presbyterian minister. He made a profession of faith and joined the church at 12, but knew before then that he wanted to be a minister. The Rev. Donaldson graduated from Westminster College, New Wilmington, in 1944. He earned his master of theology from Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary (now Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) and was ordained in 1947. He served seven churches in his more than 40 years in the pastorate. He found it satisfying to see parishioners grow in their Christian journey and to be of assistance through tragedy, joy and decision-making. Most of his churches were small rural congregations; one was a large urban church. They were: United Presbyterian Church, Oakdale, Ill., College Hill United Presbyterian Church, Beaver Falls, Monroe Presbyterian Church, Monroe, Iowa (National Missions), United Presbyterian Church, Frenchburg, Ky. (National Missions), First Presbyterian Church (now Presbyterian Church of the Covenant), Port Arthur, Texas, Community Presbyterian Church, Rosamond, Ill., and Emmanuel United Presbyterian Church, Eighty Four. He retired in 1988 and was pastor emeritus at Emmanuel U.P. Church. The Rev. Donaldson was active with youth, taking them to conferences and camps. For 11 years, he ran a community recreation program in Rosamond which consisted of coaching three baseball teams, coordinating volunteers to improve the park with dugouts and bleachers, running a basketball night for teenagers in the winter months, and leading bicycle hikes on country roads. He also started a Wednesday night youth club program of crafts, Bible study and music for grades 3 through 6. Having served his pastorates, communities and the wider church in many ways, he always emphasized world mission and support. One national mission church he served became self-supporting during his tenure. In Kentucky, he was chaplain to the local hospital and was involved in the denomination-sponsored day and boarding school. When the school was vacated following the county taking over schooling responsibilities, the Rev. Donaldson worked to have the school converted into a retirement home. He facilitated improving the church building and manse in each pastorate he served. He participated in the building of a new church building in Port Arthur. At Emmanuel, he started a regular get-together for senior citizens. He served for many years as Protestant chaplain at Washington County Health Center. The Rev. Donaldson was active in each presbytery in which he was a member and served the Presbyterian denomination both during and after his years in the pastorate. He was a moderator in one presbytery. For the Washington Presbytery, he served on the worship committee and served as chairman of the Theological Education 1% plan for the presbytery. He attended Presbyterian General Assembly twice. He served the denomination on the pilot project for Theological Education Fund. In his spare time, both before and after retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, building a sewing cabinet for his wife, Eleanor Jane, kitchen sets for daughter Jane and granddaughter Alexandra, and cradles and cedar chests for grandchildren. Another hobby was working jigsaw puzzles. He enjoyed his grandchildren. In the summer of 1997, he was nanny for Alex and Hannah while Tina was on bedrest for the final months of her pregnancy with Madelyn. His wife was his constant helpmate and secretary for all but one of his pastorates since their marriage. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Eleanor Jane; a daughter, Jane and husband Gary Chin; a son, John and wife Tina. He was a loving grandfather to six grandchildren, Alexandra, Hannah and Madelyn Donaldson and Eleanor, Evan and Esther Chin. Deceased are his brother, Dr. William F. Donaldson Jr.; and an infant son, Ralph Philip. Friends will be received from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 24, in Chartiers Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 502 Old Hickory Ridge Road, Washington, with the Rev. Barry Sweet officiating. Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. in Mt. Jackson Cemetery, New Castle. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, and marked for scholarships in memory of Ralph Donaldson; or to Theological Education Fund, Washington Presbytery, P.O. Box 146, Eighty Four, PA 15330, and marked in memory of Ralph Donaldson.