Ralph C. Slusher, M.D., of Evington, died early Monday morning, Oct. 29, 2012, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born Aug. 18, 1932, in Terre Haute, Ind., he was the son of the late C.C. and Edrie Lee Slusher.
A graduate of Virginia Tech and the Medical College of Virginia, he was a general family doctor for 52 years in the Altavista area. As a physician, one of his most outstanding contributions was the delivery of over 4,300 babies to the many families he served.
He was a member of many medical organizations and most notably was a fellow and founding charter member of the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP). Dr. Slusher was also a retired brigadier general of the USAR Medical Corps, having served in many active duty tours, including Operation Desert Storm, where he commanded the 2290th Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
As a community leader, he was a scoutmaster to Troop 184, where he guided 17 scouts to the rank of Eagle. He had a love and appreciation for photography and was also an avid Hokie and Redskin football fan.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Nancy Anne Spangler Slusher; a sister, Betty Jean Wilson and husband Tommy of Radford; a son, Ralph Mark and wife Carla of Evington; a daughter, Misty Jill Slusher Hostetter and husband Dean of Forest; and a son, Ralph Kendall of Evington. Additionally, he is survived by six grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg is in charge of funeral arrangements.
A full military burial with honors will be conducted at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Christiansburg. An online guestbook is available at www.hornefuneralservice.com.
Local visitation will be held at the Altavista High School gymnasium Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, at 1:30 p.m., with a memorial service following at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the local American Cancer Society at 2050 Langhorne Road, Suite 201, Lynchburg, Va. 24501; the PenFed Foundation (a charity to assist the financial needs of wounded veterans) at 2930 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, Va. 22314; or the Centra Foundation at 1920 Atherholt Road, Lynchburg, Va. 24501.
The family would like to offer many thanks to the nurses and medical staff of Lynchburg General Hospital’s Neuro-ICU for their compassion, care and dedication.