Ralph Amdursky

Amdursky, Ralph J.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL: On Saturday, September 7, 2013, at age 99, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Ralph Amdursky passed away. Ralph was the beloved husband of the late Naomi Amdursky and the loving father of Jon Amdursky, the late Stuart Amdursky, and Ruth Simon.

Ralph studied at Syracuse University, transferring to Rochester Institute of Technology, where he studied photography. He started his career in 1935 with the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle/Times Union. There he distinguished himself through the use of existing-light and high-speed photography. Ralph soon began photographing for "Life", "Look", and "Parade" magazines. During World War II, he joined The Office of War Information (OWI), photographing for "Victory" magazine.

After the war, Ralph enjoyed a 32 year photographic career with Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, during which time he produced 22 of the Kodak Coloramas which hung in Grand Central Station in New York City. Ralph's trademark was the spectacular aerial view, usually taken from a helicopter.

Ralph and Naomi were married for 70 years. They were among the founders of Cerebral Palsy of Rochester, a commitment they made to help their son, Stuart and thousands of other children. Ralph and Naomi moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1978 upon his retirement from Kodak.

Ralph was an avid ham radio operator, maintaining vital communications during floods, hurricanes, and other emergencies. During his career he photographed five U. S. Presidents, dozens of dignitaries and was an Honorary U. S. Navy Blue Angel.

Ralph is survived by his son, Jon Amdursky, with whom he lived, his daughter, Ruth Simon, his son-in-law, Les Simon, his three grandsons, Bruce Simon, Josh Simon, and Gregg Simon and seven great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at the Briton Road Cemetery in Greece, NY, on Wednesday, September 11 at 11:00AM. For more information please contact Brighton Memorial Chapel at (585-427-8520) or

www.BrightonMemorialChapel.com