Ralph, a second-generation Canadian, was born in the old manse of St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Scarboro Junction, Ontario, where his father was the minister from 1912-1919. His paternal grandfather's family was originally from Carmichael, Scotland, but several generations were born in Lislea, County Derry; his maternal grandfather's family, the Millers, were from Longford, Ireland; his paternal grandmother, Isabella Johnstone, was born in Dum-freesshire, Scotland; and his maternal grandmother's family, the Gardners, were originally from England.
After completing his five year degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill, Ralph followed his father into the ministry obtaining his three year degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He served churches first as a Presbyterian, and then as an Episcopalian in New York State, Delaware and Chapala, Mexico, from 1938 through the Sunday before his death in 1995.
Ralph was home-schooled (as was his father) until the age of 10, then entered the Connecticut public school system when his father was assigned to the First Congregational Church in Cromwell. His sister Margaret was married there to Ewart Oldham.
In those years Quebec required 13 years of schooling before entering a college engineering course, so Ralph's Grade 12 graduation in Connecticut was not enough. Even though he had already been accepted into the Engineering Program at McGill, they insisted he complete Grade 13 at Coaticook HS in Quebec where his father was principal. Ralph did well, coming in third in the province in French of all the English-speaking schools.
Ralph and Jean met her sophomore year Sunday 23 October 1932 when she was looking for a piano player to play for an Open House that night. "Oh, there's a junior up on the second floor who plays piano," said her friend.
Ralph in 1993 - first thoughts upon seeing Jean Dunlop:
"There's a peroxide blonde. I've heard Mother speak of such persons....To my dismay, the blonde took me by the arm. My fate was sealed. You [children] were no longer hypothetical permutations."
Both noted the meeting in their personal diaries! Thus began their 63 years together, married for almost 57.
Ralph attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City 1935-1938 with Jean visiting each fall. The Rev. James H. Robinson, founder of Crossroads Africa (predecessor of the Peace Corps), was president of their senior class. Ralph was vice-president.
Coincidentally, Ralph's mother-in-law later sponsored a young man, Gaston from Tunis, Tunisia, through Crossroads Africa for many years, helping him with his college education. Gaston flew to Montreal in 1977 to speak at Kathleen Dunlop's memorial service.
In 1964 Ralph won a fellowship to Oxford University to study the ecumenical movement which allowed the entire family to accompany him for 14 months. During each school holiday the family camped through a total of 13 countries, allowing themselves one restaurant meal in each country! No real vacation for Mum!
After his 1975 retirement from St. Andrew's Episcopal in Albany, NY, Ralph continued to serve the summer chapel in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, 1957-1995 and yet another St. Andrew's, the winter chapel in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, from 1975-1989.
After completing his five year degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill, Ralph followed his father into the ministry obtaining his three year degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He served churches first as a Presbyterian, and then as an Episcopalian in New York State, Delaware and Chapala, Mexico, from 1938 through the Sunday before his death in 1995.
Ralph was home-schooled (as was his father) until the age of 10, then entered the Connecticut public school system when his father was assigned to the First Congregational Church in Cromwell. His sister Margaret was married there to Ewart Oldham.
In those years Quebec required 13 years of schooling before entering a college engineering course, so Ralph's Grade 12 graduation in Connecticut was not enough. Even though he had already been accepted into the Engineering Program at McGill, they insisted he complete Grade 13 at Coaticook HS in Quebec where his father was principal. Ralph did well, coming in third in the province in French of all the English-speaking schools.
Ralph and Jean met her sophomore year Sunday 23 October 1932 when she was looking for a piano player to play for an Open House that night. "Oh, there's a junior up on the second floor who plays piano," said her friend.
Ralph in 1993 - first thoughts upon seeing Jean Dunlop:
"There's a peroxide blonde. I've heard Mother speak of such persons....To my dismay, the blonde took me by the arm. My fate was sealed. You [children] were no longer hypothetical permutations."
Both noted the meeting in their personal diaries! Thus began their 63 years together, married for almost 57.
Ralph attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City 1935-1938 with Jean visiting each fall. The Rev. James H. Robinson, founder of Crossroads Africa (predecessor of the Peace Corps), was president of their senior class. Ralph was vice-president.
Coincidentally, Ralph's mother-in-law later sponsored a young man, Gaston from Tunis, Tunisia, through Crossroads Africa for many years, helping him with his college education. Gaston flew to Montreal in 1977 to speak at Kathleen Dunlop's memorial service.
In 1964 Ralph won a fellowship to Oxford University to study the ecumenical movement which allowed the entire family to accompany him for 14 months. During each school holiday the family camped through a total of 13 countries, allowing themselves one restaurant meal in each country! No real vacation for Mum!
After his 1975 retirement from St. Andrew's Episcopal in Albany, NY, Ralph continued to serve the summer chapel in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, 1957-1995 and yet another St. Andrew's, the winter chapel in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, from 1975-1989.
Ralph, a second-generation Canadian, was born in the old manse of St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Scarboro Junction, Ontario, where his father was the minister from 1912-1919. His paternal grandfather's family was originally from Carmichael, Scotland, but several generations were born in Lislea, County Derry; his maternal grandfather's family, the Millers, were from Longford, Ireland; his paternal grandmother, Isabella Johnstone, was born in Dum-freesshire, Scotland; and his maternal grandmother's family, the Gardners, were originally from England.
After completing his five year degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill, Ralph followed his father into the ministry obtaining his three year degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He served churches first as a Presbyterian, and then as an Episcopalian in New York State, Delaware and Chapala, Mexico, from 1938 through the Sunday before his death in 1995.
Ralph was home-schooled (as was his father) until the age of 10, then entered the Connecticut public school system when his father was assigned to the First Congregational Church in Cromwell. His sister Margaret was married there to Ewart Oldham.
In those years Quebec required 13 years of schooling before entering a college engineering course, so Ralph's Grade 12 graduation in Connecticut was not enough. Even though he had already been accepted into the Engineering Program at McGill, they insisted he complete Grade 13 at Coaticook HS in Quebec where his father was principal. Ralph did well, coming in third in the province in French of all the English-speaking schools.
Ralph and Jean met her sophomore year Sunday 23 October 1932 when she was looking for a piano player to play for an Open House that night. "Oh, there's a junior up on the second floor who plays piano," said her friend.
Ralph in 1993 - first thoughts upon seeing Jean Dunlop:
"There's a peroxide blonde. I've heard Mother speak of such persons....To my dismay, the blonde took me by the arm. My fate was sealed. You [children] were no longer hypothetical permutations."
Both noted the meeting in their personal diaries! Thus began their 63 years together, married for almost 57.
Ralph attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City 1935-1938 with Jean visiting each fall. The Rev. James H. Robinson, founder of Crossroads Africa (predecessor of the Peace Corps), was president of their senior class. Ralph was vice-president.
Coincidentally, Ralph's mother-in-law later sponsored a young man, Gaston from Tunis, Tunisia, through Crossroads Africa for many years, helping him with his college education. Gaston flew to Montreal in 1977 to speak at Kathleen Dunlop's memorial service.
In 1964 Ralph won a fellowship to Oxford University to study the ecumenical movement which allowed the entire family to accompany him for 14 months. During each school holiday the family camped through a total of 13 countries, allowing themselves one restaurant meal in each country! No real vacation for Mum!
After his 1975 retirement from St. Andrew's Episcopal in Albany, NY, Ralph continued to serve the summer chapel in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, 1957-1995 and yet another St. Andrew's, the winter chapel in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, from 1975-1989.
After completing his five year degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill, Ralph followed his father into the ministry obtaining his three year degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He served churches first as a Presbyterian, and then as an Episcopalian in New York State, Delaware and Chapala, Mexico, from 1938 through the Sunday before his death in 1995.
Ralph was home-schooled (as was his father) until the age of 10, then entered the Connecticut public school system when his father was assigned to the First Congregational Church in Cromwell. His sister Margaret was married there to Ewart Oldham.
In those years Quebec required 13 years of schooling before entering a college engineering course, so Ralph's Grade 12 graduation in Connecticut was not enough. Even though he had already been accepted into the Engineering Program at McGill, they insisted he complete Grade 13 at Coaticook HS in Quebec where his father was principal. Ralph did well, coming in third in the province in French of all the English-speaking schools.
Ralph and Jean met her sophomore year Sunday 23 October 1932 when she was looking for a piano player to play for an Open House that night. "Oh, there's a junior up on the second floor who plays piano," said her friend.
Ralph in 1993 - first thoughts upon seeing Jean Dunlop:
"There's a peroxide blonde. I've heard Mother speak of such persons....To my dismay, the blonde took me by the arm. My fate was sealed. You [children] were no longer hypothetical permutations."
Both noted the meeting in their personal diaries! Thus began their 63 years together, married for almost 57.
Ralph attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City 1935-1938 with Jean visiting each fall. The Rev. James H. Robinson, founder of Crossroads Africa (predecessor of the Peace Corps), was president of their senior class. Ralph was vice-president.
Coincidentally, Ralph's mother-in-law later sponsored a young man, Gaston from Tunis, Tunisia, through Crossroads Africa for many years, helping him with his college education. Gaston flew to Montreal in 1977 to speak at Kathleen Dunlop's memorial service.
In 1964 Ralph won a fellowship to Oxford University to study the ecumenical movement which allowed the entire family to accompany him for 14 months. During each school holiday the family camped through a total of 13 countries, allowing themselves one restaurant meal in each country! No real vacation for Mum!
After his 1975 retirement from St. Andrew's Episcopal in Albany, NY, Ralph continued to serve the summer chapel in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, 1957-1995 and yet another St. Andrew's, the winter chapel in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, from 1975-1989.
Inscription
CARMICHAEL
In Loving Memory of the Reverend
RALPH MILLER CARMICHAEL
1912 - 1995
His Wife
MARGARET JEAN DUNLOP CARMICHAEL
1913 - 2006
Family Members
Half Siblings
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