Ralph Anthony Flohre

1941 - 2023

Ralph Anthony Flohre passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Known for his white terry-cloth cap, he treated everyone he met as a long lost friend, always ready with a story and a smile.

He is predeceased by his parents Urban & Martha and Wendell & Jeanette, his step-mother Ruth, and sisters Mary and Margaret (Peggy). He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Brenda Kay Flohre, and his three children, Heath Flohre and his wife Kristin, Kendal Healy and her husband Chris, and Kyle Flohre and his wife Jennifer. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Connor, Samuel, and Riley Flohre, Cullen, Brenna, and Patton Healy, and Emma, Lily, and Sophie Flohre.

Ralph was born on December 13, 1941 in Dayton, OH, the middle child in between two sisters. Raised faithfully by his father, aunt and uncle after losing his mother at a young age, he attended Catholic schools and eventually followed a call to the Abbey of Gethsemani. He later served in the Army for three years, reaching the rank of Specialist. While stationed in Puerto Rico, he found his passion for tennis, leading to a forty-five year career of teaching, organizing tournaments, and taking care of the shop and courts. As a tennis pro in Richmond, VA, he married Kay, proving that "love" meant much, much more than "nothing" to him. Eventually settling and raising a family in Virginia Beach, VA, Ralph spent fourteen years at Princess Anne Country Club, dedicating his time to creating "tennis lovers" out of players of all ages and levels. He then brought this enthusiasm to Norfolk Yacht & Country Club and other area clubs over the next twenty-five years, retiring at 72.

The passion Ralph had for tennis, though, paled in comparison to the love he had for his family. He beamed with pride over his wife every day and was devoted to his kids and their interests. He reveled in his grandchildren's accomplishments. He always made YOU the most important part of his day, whether it was ensuring you always won the last point at the end of a lesson, the intentional calls of support and celebration, or the attention and wonder he brought to every conversation. Always learning to be a better person, he was unafraid to share his tips and expressions of love, often photocopying Ann Landers articles, quotes, and other newspaper clippings, and slipping them into the mail. Kind, simple, and genuine, his grateful and faithful spirit will be dearly missed.

His family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14 at Church of the Holy Family Catholic Church, where a funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., with the interment and reception to follow. There will also be a livestream. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Church of the Holy Family Catholic Church, 1279 N Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 or the Norfolk Catholic Worker (feeding the homeless), 1321 W 38th St, Norfolk, VA 23508.