Obituary of Ralph Joseph Anderson

Ralph J. Anderson, M.D., cherished son of the late James and Evelyn Anderson, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2017.Ralph J. Anderson, M.D., was the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) at Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. In that role, he oversaw the academic, clinical, and research programs for the Department. He completed his undergraduate training at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada in 1964. After completion of his residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Western Ontario, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada in 1969. He became a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1984. Dr. Anderson completed his postgraduate training in Oncology at the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston, Texas in 1970 and 1971. He became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada in August, 1971, and subsequently became an Associate Professor in 1976 and Professor in 1981. He held positions as the Director of Undergraduate Education in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Western Ontario from 1971 to 1977 and as the Director of Postgraduate Education from 1977 to 1982. He was the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Undergraduate Medical Education for 1976-1982. In 1982, he joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and remained at Texas Tech until 1987. During that time he held the positions of Director of Residency Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs in the School of Medicine. In 1987, he joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Fort Worth Hospitals Program as Chairman and Program Director and continued in that position until October 2005. In September 2005, Dr. Anderson was appointed as the Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) at Fort Worth. Dr. Anderson devoted his career to improving women’s health through clinical care, medical education, research and local, state and national advocacy for women’s health. He envisioned and created opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration to improve the health and well-being of women and their families. He was a beloved mentor and leader to many.Dr. Anderson is survived by Barbara Anderson, his beloved wife of 54 years; he is also the loving father of son, David Anderson (Marcy) and daughter, Carolyn Anderson; grandfather of Braden and Ashlyn Anderson; dear brother, Roy Anderson (Betty). He is preceded in death by brother, Ron Anderson (Joy). He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.