Ralph Thwaite Harker Jr.
After a year long battle with cancer, it is with great sadness that the family of Ralph Thwaite Harker Jr announces that he passed away on December 13, 2025. Ralph is survived in life by his wife of 62 years, his sons and their wives, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his brother.
Ralph’s journey in life began on May 29, 1937 in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He spent much of his youth on the families Kennet Square farm were he enjoyed hunting and working. He attended college at Franklin & Marshall in Pennsylvania and worked his way through college. He was an avid runner and ran Cross Country at F&M. After graduating from college he met the love of his life and his lifelong partner Carol Elizabeth Selig. They were married in Bedford, Nova Scotia on July 06, 1963. His sons were born soon after, George (1965) and Glenn (1967). Ralph settled in the Chicago suburbs and dedicated his professional career to one company, R.R. Donnelly & Sons. In 1985 Ralph constructed a new geodesic dome as the family home in the rural Chicago suburb of Monee, IL. The home was lovingly known by friends and family as the “dome home”. He moved to Huntley, IL in 2014 where he lived his final years.
Little known to most, Ralph had an adventurous spirit. In 1970, he took his young family on a rustic canoe trip camping and fishing through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Ralph enjoyed many more adventures up the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, Mn with his friends and family. Additional adventures included back packing the Rocky Mountains, sailing the Chesapeake Bay and cross country skiing in Michigan. Always sharing in the adventures with his family. In his later years, he enjoyed escaping the dreary Chicago winters to Marco island, Florida. He went deep sea fishing and loved touring the Florida everglades with Carol.
Ralph was an avid gardener. He spent his winters meticulously planning and preparing the next seasons garden. His gardens always produced a bounty of vegetables which were enjoyed by family, friends and neighbors. His final garden in the Huntley Community garden was no exception.
Above all, Ralph was fiercely committed and dedicated to his family. His adventurous spirit, wisdom, dedication and commitment will be greatly missed by all.
Rest in peace Ralph; husband, father, grandfather, brother, thy lived well.
Funeral Arrangements are being handled by DeFiore Funeral and Cremations for information 847-515-8772
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