Ralph Edward Groening, 1919-2017

RALPH EDWARD GROENING (1919 - 2017)

Long-time resident of Reston, VA passed away at The Virginian, Fairfax, VA on February 7, 2017. He was predeceased by his wife, Hazel A. Blaine, and son-in- law, Jan S. Sumner. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy

Sumner of Ormond Beach, FL; his son, Phil Groening (Laura Linn) of Reston, VA; granddaughter, Michaela Hale (Jason); grandson, Marc Sumner (Colleen) and two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Savannah; sister-in-law, Peggy Blaine; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in St. Charles, IL, Ralph moved to Washington, DC after high school in 1941 to begin work as an assistant messenger for the USDA Extension Service where he met his wife, Hazel, and eventually retired as the USDA-ES Associate Deputy Administrator for Operations in 1975. During this period he also served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict, and received his B.A. from George Washington University.

Ralph was actively involved in Reston. Whether it was playing tennis into his eighties, serving on his cluster board and the treasurer for the Reston Community Center bridge club, or giving his friends a ride wherever they needed to go, Ralph stayed engaged. He always had a kind word or a joke for everyone.

Visitation for friends and family will be held at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon, VA on February 18, 2017, from 2pm- 5pm. Future interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please support The Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org.

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