Ralph Worthington Drayer

Ralph Worthington Drayer

Ralph Worthington Drayer of Waynesboro, died on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was 96.

Mr. Drayer was born in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio State University in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He retired from the General Electric Company in 1980 after 42 years of service. During his career, he designed electrical instruments for aircraft which were flown in World War II and later implemented and marketed the first computerized tape controls sold in this country.

They were manufactured in Waynesboro where he held many positions in the marketing department before his retirement. He belonged to the General Electric retirement group in Waynesboro and served as its president.

Mr. Drayer pursued numerous interests including radio broadcasting, tennis, travel, gardening and classical music. He was an accomplished painter and sailor. He built many things, including his own sailboat which he named "Consequor". He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Janet Winters Drayer. He is also survived by his son, Ralph Worthington Drayer Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Hilton Head, South Carolina; his daughter, Miriam Antich and her husband, Peter, of Richardson, Texas; his daughter, Sally Drayer and her husband, Jeffrey Nicholas, of Solebury, Pennsylvania; his daughter, Mary Ellen Drayer of Charlottesville, Virginia; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, September 27, 2010, at The First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro. Burial will be private.

Visitation will be held at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church Food Bank, 11th Street at Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980, or the Waynesboro First Aid Crew, 201 West Broad Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980.

Those wishing to share their memories with the family online may do so at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.

McDow Funeral Home is handling arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.