Ralph Blakely Obituary

Ralph was a complex character, with many opinions, and a warm heart under it all. He introduced me to the harpsichord and Dom Bedos, before they were widely popular. In his shop, I learned to appreciate wood grain and to read his blueprints, a skill that would lead me in various paths, not all of them musical. He was a staunch supporter of and believer in the value of liberal arts education, especially Davidson's. I will miss him. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Mary,
I am so sorry to hear of your brother´s passing.
Les Dickert
PS My wife and I live in my family home on Eden Terrace

Ralph was the kindest person I have ever met. When I studied at Davidson, I worked in his shop part-time during school year and full time in the summers for many years. When Bill and Ralph were on vacation, I house-sat their place which was always a great experience as I had the whole guest house and pool to myself. I also took care of the two Great Danes and yes, I knew Artemis and Browon (?). I knew nothing about woodworking and couldn´t play any music instruments, but Ralph was very patient with me, teaching me every step in the way. We also travelled a lot together to repair church organs in the South with his old Merc. He actually gave me one of his Merc after I graduated from Davidson. After I finished college and graduate school in the US, I came back to Hong Kong and for many years, I thought of going back to see Ralph and Bill. Out of the blue, I just googled his name today and found out the sad news. Ralph, Thank you so much! You will always be remembered!

Ralph was my smartest, most knowledgeable friend at Winthrop Training School and Rock Hill High. I was in awe of him because he had so many talents and interests. We sometimes went together to the movie at Winthrop on Saturday nights, and I was honored that he didn't mind spending time with me. He played the organ at Rock Hill's First Presbyterian Church when Charlie Reese and I got married. We lost touch then, but when Charlie died at age twenty-five, Ralph came to express his condolences. He called me a few years ago, and we had a long conversation about our lives and the state of the world. I wish I'd been a better friend to him. He was unique and wonderful.

Our sincere condolences on your loss from all of us at the Gibbes Museum of Art. You are in our thoughts.

Ralph was a remarkable artist, artisan, and craftsman who will live on in the numerous pipe organs he built from scratch found (mostly) in churches throughout the southeast. When it came to the wood that went into his organs and the tools used to work that wood, he spared no expense . When he found pre-assembled parts to be of inferior quality, he would study them carefully, develop prototypes, and eventually replace them with parts built by us in his shop. The results were fine custom hand-built instruments that have stood test of time. I worked for Ralph over several summers while I was a teenager. I remember using dental floss to tie (unspliced) custom-fit cables from bundles of silver (not copper) wire. I remember using his drill press to drill carefully measured holes into hardwood plywood, after which I would burn a bevel for an air-tight seal with the pipes. To this day I carry with me his tenacious attention to detail and his sense of "anything is possible with the right tools" approach to woodworking and the mechanical arts. Thanks, Ralph!

"Ralph Junior," as he was known to his friends and neighbors was all about music. I lived on the same street just a couple of houses down from my home in Rock Hill. His mother taught me chemistry in high school. The Blakelys were a close-knit family. Although I knew of his work in organ construction, it has been decades since I saw him last.
My deepest condolences to Mary and Jennie.
Ron Connelly
Mt. Pleasant, SC

Ralph was the very best neighbor and a really kind man. God's love to his family and friends. I will miss talking with him. Let me know if I can help.

I always enjoyed seeing Ralph on my walks. His dog was very friendly and he was fun to chat with. He will be missed by all.

I have known Mr. Blakely for years, as I am a veterinary technician at Olde Towne Veterinary Clinic. I will never forget him coming into the clinic with Artemis and his Davidson t-shirt on just to say Hello. When Artemis was just a pup, he would always say, "Margaret, don't let her sit in your lap because pretty soon she's gonna be too big for that". Well, of course I didn't listen, and soon enough Artemis would greet me with kisses and I would sit on the floor and she knew her place...in my lap. All 100# of her! My husband is also familiar with Ralph and Artemis- he would see them during his tours and everyone would wave. He will be missed by so many, and I am so happy that he was a part of our lives.