Ralph Benjamin Turek Jr.

Ralph Benjamin Turek, Jr., 80 years old, born on November 29, 1944, in Havre de Grace, MD, passed away on September 29, 2025, in Middleburg Heights, OH near his hometown of Strongsville, OH. Ralph grew up in North Versailles, PA, graduated from Westinghouse Memorial High School, earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Cincinnati. Married for 58 years, Ralph and Donna met at their ninth grade Valentine dance and never looked back. They lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, and finally settled in Strongsville, Ohio where they have lived for 45 years. He was a Professor of Music at the University of Akron and the author of three college textbooks, including Analytical Anthology of Music, The Elements of Music, and Theory for Today's Musician. After retirement, he continued his love of music, playing keyboards at local establishments, both solo and with other musicians. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother – he was also a talented musician, composer, author, professor, poet, and activist, with passions for skiing, tennis, and travel. He really lived his life well and with meaning. He loved to plan family ski trips to Colorado, California, Utah, and New York, where the family ski condo resides. He and Donna enjoyed traveling extensively and could often be found aboard river cruises and visiting national parks. His last vacation in June 2024 included the entire family on an Alaskan cruise. He loved playing with his four granddaughters and encouraging their creative minds. Ralph is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Turek (nee Neff); his brother, Thomas Turek; his loving daughters, Shara Bohach (Bob), Karlene Gandolf (Ed), and Rayanne Medford (Chance); and his cherished granddaughters, Vienna, Ivy, Alia, and Myra. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Benjamin Turek, Sr., and his mother Betty Turek (nee Hough). Donations can be made to Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes (formerly known as Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes (Formerly JDRF)) in Ralph's honor: https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation2?idb=50466809&df_id=2374&mfc_pref=T&2374.donation=form1 A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 1:00–5:00pm at Encore Event Center, 16808 Pearl Rd, Strongsville Ohio 44136. The event will be held in The Laurel Room. Please park and enter by the main entrance. Visitation from 1:00–5:00pm with Remarks and Memory Sharing at 3:00pm.