Ralph L. Brewer

Ralph L. Brewer, 79, of Frostburg, Md., died on Feb. 6, 2025.

Born on Feb. 8, 1945, in Clarksville, Tenn., he was the son of the late Lucas V. Brewer and Nell Jackson Brewer.

Ralph graduated from Austin Peay State College in Clarksville, Tenn. in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in English and taught at Clarksville High School from 1967 to 1968. He then earned his master's degree in English from Austin Peay in 1969 before joining the Frostburg State University faculty.

He served Frostburg State University for over 50 years, where he taught in the Department of English beginning in 1969 until his retirement in 2021. Respected for his judgment, candor, and collegiality, Ralph was elected to such important leadership positions as Chair of Faculty Assembly and later Chair of Faculty Senate. For two terms (1994-2000), he served as Chair of the English Department. As an experienced teacher in the English department, Ralph mentored students and fellow faculty, both formally and on an ad hoc basis. Notably, he was for many years responsible for the English Secondary Education program: he instructed, supervised, and mentored student interns who now teach throughout Maryland and the greater region.

Ralph was a talented athlete in many sports, and an especially avid golfer. He was a member of the Maplehurst Country Club in Frostburg, Md., and in 1983 won the Allegany County Golf Championship. He consistently supported Frostburg State intercollegiate athletic programs and activities, where he fostered the ideal of the scholar-athlete. Ralph chaired the Athletic Advisory Committee, which he served on for 30 years, and acted as Faculty Representative for the NCAA and the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference steering committees. He was chosen to serve as the University's interim Athletic Director and then Director from 2003-2007. During his tenure, Ralph oversaw many improvements, such as upgrading facilities and equipment, constructing new fields, and increasing corporate sponsorships. He also oversaw the rise in academic standards and retention rates for student athletes. In 2007, he returned to full-time teaching in the Department of English and Foreign Languages.

Ralph's contributions to the larger community were recognized when he received the Faculty Achievement Award for University and Community Service (1995) and the Allegany County NAACP Award for Community Service (2006).

Ralph is survived by his wife Sue Penick Brewer; his brother James Edward Brewer and wife Brenda Bumpus Brewer; his son John Lucas Brewer and wife Karen Elizabeth Fitzpatrick Brewer; his granddaughters Bailey Susan Brewer and Lindsay Elizabeth Brewer Christner (husband Russell Christner), and his great-grandchildren Bea and Chase Christner.

Friends will be received at Durst Funeral Home, 57 Frost Ave., Frostburg, MD on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 am to 12 pm. A celebration of life will begin at 12 pm, when family and friends are welcome to share their memories of Ralph.

In lieu of flowers the family is recommending gifts to the FSU Foundation in support of funds that were important to Ralph. You can support the English & Foreign Languages Development Fund (70392) or the Athletics Development Fund (80800) online by visiting www.frostburg.edu/makeagift (put the fund name in the designation field) or send a check made payable to the FSU Foundation (with fund name in the memo line) to 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD 21532.