Ralph Fuller PORTMANN

HAIRSTON.org ID#1209, b. 9 July 1916, d. 29 August 2005
Father*Dr. Ursus Victor PORTMANN1 b. 20 Jan 1887, d. May 1966
Mother*Ina FULLER1 b. 9 Oct 1887
Birth*Ralph Fuller PORTMANN was born on 9 July 1916 in Michigan.2,3,1 
He was the son of Dr. Ursus Victor PORTMANN and Ina FULLER.1 
Census 1920Ralph Fuller PORTMANN appeared on the 1920 census of Dr. Ursus Victor PORTMANN on 8 January 1920 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.1

 
Census 1930Ralph Fuller PORTMANN appeared on the 1930 census of Dr. Ursus Victor PORTMANN on 15 April 1930 in Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga, Ohio.4

 
Military*In 1942, Ralph F. Portmann entered the U.S. Navy as an officer during World War II. Promoted to Lieutenant on October 1, 1944 and served on the U.S.S. Biloxi, a Cleveland Class Light Cruiser. Ralph was on the U.S.S. Biloxi at the battles of Phillipines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and after VJ Day in Nagasaki to pick up allied prisoners of war. While in Nagasaki, Ralph saw the distruction caused by the atom bomb "Fat Man". 
Marriage*Ralph Fuller PORTMANN married Stacie Louise SHELBY, daughter of Louis Coffman SHELBY and Stacie Beatrice SMITH, on 3 August 1942 in Linden Avenue Christian Church, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee; THIRD GENERATION WILL WED IN SAME SANCTUARY
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Stacie Louise Shelby's Wedding to Ralph F. Portman Aug. 5 at Linden Avenue Church
More than half a century ago Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shelby were married in Linden Avenue Christian Church. In the same sanctuary on Aug. 15 25 years ago was the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Louise Coffman Shelby. And now Stacie Louise Shelby will be the third generation to pledge her nuptial vows.

This attractive young Memphian will become the bride of Raplh Fuller Portmann, midshipmen in the United States Naval Reserve in a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5. at Linden Avenue. The couple had chosen the silver wedding anniversary of he parents as their date, but the graduation of the groom from the U. S. Naval reserve Midshipment School at Northwestern will take place on August 3 and his orders will be forthcoming immediately, so the wedding day had to be moved up. Rev. Howard Thomas Wood, pastor, will officiate.

The bride will be given in marriage by her father.

Her sister, Mrs. Austin J. McDermott Jr., of Wilmington, N. C., the former Martha Shelby, will attend her as matron of honor and another sister, Joy Shelby, will be her maid of honor. Bridesmaids are Mrs. Frank Preston, a cousin; Mrs. Peter Mommsen Jr., Frances reynolds of Cleveland, Miss. and Mrs E. H. Thomas of Little Rock, the former Jean Reinhardt of Memphis. William Sinclair of Cleveland Ohio will attend Mr. Portmann as the best man. Groomsmen will be Thomeas E. Wood of Cincinnati, William Davidson, Ben Glasgow, Jim Herman and Robert Hunt, all of Memphis.
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Reception to Follow

Following the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Shelby will entertain at a wedding reception at their home on N. Montgomery for the two families, the bridal party, out-of-town guests and a few close friends.

Miss Shelby is a talented musician, having won the Mary Louise Curtis Bok scholarship for four years and received a bachelor of music degree from Memphis College of Music. She attended Southwestern and received a bachelor of science degree from Memphis State College. Mr. Portman is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Ursus Victor Portmann of Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Ohio. He is a graduate of Western Reserve Academy, attended Oberlin College, received bachelor of arts degree from Western Reserve University and a master of business administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He made his home in Memphis for several months while associated with Proctor and Gamble.

Printed in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Thursday, July 16, 1942.5
Death*Ralph Fuller PORTMANN died on 29 August 2005 in Washington at age 89.2,3 
Burial*He was buried in Port Blakely Cemetery, Bainbridge, Kitsap, Washington.2 

Family

Stacie Louise SHELBY b. 5 Dec 1919, d. 1 Aug 1995
Child

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  2. [S48] Find A Grave Website with Photo - only listings with photos of grave markers that are contemporary to the deceased individuals death are acceptable for genealogical proof.
  3. [S93] Social Security Death Index.
  4. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S52] Marriage Certificate or Register.
Last Edited7 Nov 2024