Ralph E. Byers

Ralph E. Byers, 75, of Carlisle, died on Monday, March 16, 2020, at UPMC Carlisle, surrounded by his loving family.
Ralph was born April 8, 1944, in Lancaster, to the late Earl C. and Thelma (Fair) Byers.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen F. (Kneisley) Byers; a daughter, Michelle E. (husband Ron) Kerr of Carlisle; a son, Mark E. (wife Wendy) Byers of Landisburg; two granddaughters, Alexus L. Kerr of Carlisle and Jordan A. Byers of Landisburg; a grandson, Zachary G. Byers of Landisburg; a sister-in-law, Sandra (Bargo) Byers of Manheim; a niece Deborah (husband Douglas) Herr of Lititz; a nephew Douglas (wife Tammy) Byers of Palmyra; 4 great-nieces, Amanda, Kristen, Madelyn, and Abigail; and several cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd and Wayne.
Ralph graduated from Penn Manor High School, in Millersville in 1962. He attended Concord College in Athens, WV, before transferring to West Chester State College (now West Chester University) where he graduated with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. He also earned an M. Ed. in Secondary Counseling from Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University). Ralph returned to West Chester University in 1987 to become certified in Driver Education.
Prior to his retirement in 2002, Ralph taught health, physical education, family living, and driver education at Carlisle High School for 35 years. While at Carlisle, he coached JV Wrestling, Middle School Wrestling, JV Boys Soccer, and Varsity Girls Soccer. In addition, he was a PIAA Wrestling Official for 27 years.
Ralph was inducted into the following: PIAA District III Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to wrestling in 2011, and Penn Manor High School Athletic Wall of Honor in 2014. For many years Ralph was a Weigh Master at the PIAA Team and Individual Wrestling Championships.
Ralph was a member of First United Church of Christ, Carlisle, where he served as an Elder. He was a member of Carlisle Fish and Game, Carlisle Lodge #260, Scottish Rite Consistory, and a 32nd Degree Mason.
Visitation and services will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 2020 West Trindle Road Carlisle, PA 17013.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to PA Breast Cancer Coalition, 2397 Quentin Road, Lebanon, PA 17042.
To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com.