Ralph Edward Rivers

About

Bishop England High School Medical University of South Carolina University of South Carolina

Ralph Rivers Obituary

Name: Funeral service for Ralph Edward Rivers
Start: 2021-04-10T14:00:00.000Z
Location: Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church

Ralph Edward Rivers MT. PLEASANT - Dr. Ralph Edward Rivers, of Mount Pleasant, passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, his three sons, Christopher (Laura), Brian (Lauren), and Patrick, his sisters Mary Casper (Michael) and Barbara Huey (Marshall), his brother, Robert, and his grandchildren, Mackenzie, Jonah, and Judah. Ralph was born in Ecuador to Vernon and Hermie Rivers, while his father was assigned as the Naval attache; to the U.S. Embassy. Growing-up in a Navy family Ralph lived in many places, including Charleston, for his high school years. He attended Bishop England High School, and graduated from the University of South Carolina, remaining an avid USC football fan. The son of two naval officers, Ralph joined the Navy Reserve while attending the Medical University of South Carolina, School of Dentistry. While he was in dental school, he met his wife, Cynthia, a nursing student. They married following their joint graduation. He then went on active duty in the Navy Dental Corps for four years, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Ralph returned to Charleston and started a dental practice in North Charleston, where he treated patients for over 30 years. He and Cynthia raised their family on Sullivan's Island. After he retired from dentistry Ralph and his dog, Shadow, became an animal therapy team and served local hospitals and nursing homes. Ralph made lifelong friends at every stage of his life. To his friends, patients and strangers he was generous and kind. He loved playing host and practical jokes. Above all Ralph sought to make sure those around him felt protected and secure. Cynthia and his sons will remember him as a loving husband and attentive father. His siblings will remember him most for how proud their parents were of him and how grateful they are for Cynthia and everything she has done to make the Rivers family better. For many he was the favorite uncle or cousin, and they will miss him immensely. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 10, at the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the Paws4thekids pet therapy program at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital; 59 Bee Street, MS 201 Charleston SC 29425; or your favorite charity. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Apr. 8 to Apr. 9, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Rivers

7 Entries

Tippy Stern Brickman

April 2, 2025

The Stern Family extends to the entire Ralph Rivers family our heartfelt thoughts.
We all loved Ralph...
Tippy

Lee Ann Milum

August 18, 2022

I´ve thought of this wonderful man for years. I use to dental assist for him. He loved trying to scare everyone (especially me), and naps ( he would tell me and Lori to ick a chair and lock the front door lol, and got me hooked to this day on thin crust pepperoni & pineapple pizza! He was so kind and tried to fix everyone´s problems. He was so in love with Cynthia that he told me many times," I don´t know how I got to marry someone so wonderful! Sorry to the family for your loss. I know you´re watching and guarding over us all!

Winn and Mary Tutterow

Planted Trees

Larry & Carol Clark

April 10, 2021

Cynthia, ( Country)
We send our condolences and heartfelt prayers To your entire family with the loss of Ralph.
I´ve stayed semi connected to Bob thru the years and I know that he and Ralph had a strong bond of friendship.

Ralph always made me laugh, and I remember vividly his quick wit and humor. Those were wonderful times spent together at USC.

Bob had plans for all of us ( The Gang) to get together from USC for the summer of 2020, but Covid shattered those plans. Again, both Carol and I were saddened with this news and will keep you in our prayers as well as your sons / spouses and grandchildren..
All our love . Larry & Carol Clark

Julia Jones Williams

April 9, 2021

The long clinical hours of assisting MUSC's Class of 1976 dental students in the operatories had moments of hilarity that were provided by Ralph. He took his work as a dental student seriously but not himself and his sharp wit and sense of humor, sometimes dotted with a practical joke are a few things etched into my memory of him from those long ago days. It's been decades since I saw Ralph in person but he has never been forgotten. I was fortunate, as a dental assistant student to be assigned to him on occasion. Ralph taught me as well as any instructor did during our times working together on a patient. We had some hilarious times outside of MUSC, too as I dated his friend Bob Sappington a few times and Ralph was usually around. You knew a good time was in store when Ralph Rivers showed up, God love him. Today I am saddened and concerned to learn of his passing. Condolences are sent to his loving family as they say goodbye.

Betty W Harley

April 9, 2021

Dear Cynthia and sons,
For so many years your family and ours were so close. I have missed being with you and, usually, Brian hanging out with Greg. I am truly sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed Ralph´s company and his intensity balanced with his humor...the humor was certainly passed along to your boys. I hope we can catch up when things calm down for you and your family. I´ll always have very fond memories of being a soccer mom with you and Ralph. Please accept my very heartfelt sympathy.

Nancy Dalton

April 9, 2021

So sorry for your loss .prayers for all your family.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results