Notes:
RALPH LARUE ANKENMAN, physician, follower of Jesus Christ, poet, scientist, and "a bit of a character," died peacefully and surrounded with love on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Born Jan. 8, 1934 in Norton, Kansas, Ralph was a son of the late Earl and Nadine Ankenman and the brother of the late Donald Ankenman. His hobbies included losing his wallet and helping people whose cars were broken down along the road. Although he told his children he didn't get very good grades in school, he was Valedictorian of his High School Class, a graduate of Ohio University, and later a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he met his wife Lucille. He and Lucy spent several years as missionaries in East Pakistan, where they worked in a hospital and in the hill country station which could only be reached after eight hours on a river boat through the jungle. During those years, Ralph composed a mini-musical based on the fairy tale "The Emperor and the Nightingale" to sing to his children for their amusement in the evenings because there was no electricity. Many years later, it was staged and performed by Mason Community Players in Mason, Ohio. After Ralph and Lucy returned to the U.S., they settled in Cedarville, Ohio. Ralph did emergency medicine and Christian counseling and developed a counseling method called Love Therapy based on the love of Christ. In the late 70’s Ralph completed a psychiatric residency at Ohio State. Much of his practice was dedicated to treating brain-injured and developmentally challenged patients. He founded the Special Psychiatric Unit at Madison County Hospital in London, Ohio and served as its Director for over 20 years. The Special Psychiatric Unit maintained a policy not to refuse admission to an individual just because they were violent, and during his years there Ralph developed unique expertise in the treatment of aggression and rage called Adrenergic Theory, part of which is described in his book, Hope for the Violently Aggressive Child. His book was noticed by Temple Grandin, who added a foreword to the second edition. After closing his practice in 2008, Ralph dedicated his time to writing and consulting. He wrote many songs and destroyed many computers. He once gave away his son's car to a needy person, and when his son found out, he agreed it was the right decision. Ralph has been a member of Grace Baptist Church since 1969. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Lucille; and children Theresa (James) Kahle, Bruce (Barbara) Ankenman, Beverly (David) Brooks, Carol (David) Hommel, David (Mistie) Ankenman, Stephen (Sveta) Ankenman, 15 grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Funeral is Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 at 11 am at Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville, Ohio. Visitation is at the church Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 from 3-5 pm and also prior to the funeral at 10 am on Dec 3rd. Flowers may be sent to the church or in lieu of flowers donations may be made payable to Cedarville University with a memo line Ralph Ankenman Pharmacy Research.