Gardiner-Ralph A. Strout, 76, died on February 29, 2008 at the Veterans Administration Togus Division after a long illness.

He was born on November 14, 1931 in Richmond, Maine the eldest son of Richard A. and Gertrude M. (Moore) Strout.

He is pre-deceased by his wife, Kathleen (Kay) A. Strout and parents. He is survived by his daughter, Amy K.S. Hogan and son-in-law, Richard W. Hogan, of Brunswick; son, Matthew A. Strout of Winthrop, sister, Phyllis S. Pushard of Bangor; brother, Richard A. Strout of Richmond, two grandsons, Patrick and John, and two nephews, Robert E. Pushard, Jr. of Dedham and Richard D. Pushard of Bar Harbor.

Ralph graduated in 1950 from Richmond High School and earned a degree in Mortuary Science from the New England Institute of Anatomy, presently known Mount Ida College, in 1962. Ralph actively served in the U.S. Army as a corporal in the Military Police during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge in 1954. Ralph was employed as a funeral director at Amesbury-White funeral home in Gardiner for over thirty years. Prior to working as a funeral director he also worked for the Boston and Maine Rail Road. Ralph was a member of the Masons, Village Lodge #26 in Bowdoinham.

A funeral service will take place on Friday, March 7th at 10am at the Fr. LeClair Maine Veterans Cemetery Augusta with military honors.

In Ralph’s memory donations may be made to: Togus VA Medical Center VA Voluntary Services NHCU72 Togus, Me 04330.

Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Pleasant St. Richmond, Me 04357.