Ralph L. Yauger, 65, an incredibly brilliant, kind, loving, gentle giant died March 10, 2021, in Pensacola, FL.   He was born December 23, 1955, in Kenton, Ohio, he moved to Pensacola in 1968. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1974, he joined the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of specialist four (E-4) after attending the Army Security Agency School at Fort Devons, MA, where he studied cryptologic non-communications interception, analysis and countermeasures, and receiving systems. He also attended the 25 ^th Infantry Division Signal School in Schofield, Hawaii, where he studied FM radio and radio wave propagation, then medics and primary leadership development. He served a total of three years (partially in South Korea) as an electronic intelligence analyst. He was also an instructor of electronic warfare classes. He was honorably discharged in August 1977. In addition, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Expert Rifle Badge during his service.

From January 1978 to 1980, Ralph attended the University of Florida, majoring in political science, completing Army Reserve Officers Training, and Spanish transcription. He served as a floor representative of Reid Cooperative dormitory, was a writer and editor of the ROTC Warrior, and a member of the CommuniGators—an ROTC public relations organization. He also worked as an assistant medical librarian at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville.

Ralph joined the U.S. Army Reserves in January 1979 at the rank of sergeant (E-5) and served through May 1990 during which he attended the 101 ^st Airborne Division's Airborne Assault School at Fort Benning, GA, where he learned high altitude parachute jumping, then completed other various unit assignments. He achieved the rank of staff sergeant (E-6) before his enlistment ended, and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Primary Leadership Ribbon, and Air Assault Badge.

In 1982, Ralph attended Pensacola Junior College where he received two Associate of Science degrees, one in computer technology and one in electronics technology, graduating in August 1983. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity and the Instrument Society of America. He also worked part-time as an assistant at WOWW FM radio and as a TV bench technician at A & B TV in Pensacola.

Ralph was always industrious, beginning summer and after school jobs at age nine and working through his college years. He delivered newspapers, worked in construction, cooking, motel maintenance, and even as a fishing boat deckhand. After receiving his double A.S. degrees, he worked for a year as a field technician for Satellite Systems of Pensacola, and then held the role of field representative for Picker International while based in South Carolina from 1983 through July 1992. He installed, calibrated, and troubleshot a variety of x-ray and vascular systems and other electronic and electromechanical equipment. In 1992, he moved from Picker to Columbia HCA Hospital's Biomedical Services in Tucker, GA. As a senior imaging technician, he continued to maintain, diagnose, and repair x-ray systems and associated other electronic systems made by a variety of manufacturers, as well as vascular and catheter lab electrical systems. From 1996 through 2013, he worked with a variety of contractors providing computer services to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Helpdesk, then as a LAN administrator and eventually a network engineer. Following his retirement, he dabbled in the stock market. Throughout his career, he received multiple awards for outstanding service and performance.

In his personal life, Ralph enjoyed surfing, scuba diving, swimming, sail boating, racquetball, jogging, camping, fishing, and was an avid Star Wars fan.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nancy, and one brother, Bruce.

He is survived by his brothers, Robert "Skip" (Paige) Yauger of Jacksonville, FL, and John Yauger of Quincy, FL; as well as sisters, Catherine Alexander of Tallahassee, FL, and Joanna Demarest, who wanders the country in a RV. While Ralph never married and had children of his own, he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews, Rebecca Demarest Panzer, Rose Yauger (David) Rodas, Madison Yauger, and George Alexander Demarest.

In lieu of a service, the family will have a private ceremony of his life and his ashes will be scattered in the Gulf of Mexico per his last wishes.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Red Cross or Veteran's support groups such as https://giveanhour.org/ and https://www.uso.org/ .

We love you, RIP Ralph.