Ralph Taggart Obituary

Ralph Scott Taggart CHARLESTON - Ralph Scott Taggart, 93, of Charleston, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, February 4, 2015. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. Ralph was born April 30, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois, son of Van Cleve Taggart and Grace Bryant Taggart. He graduated from Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, Class of '43, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Corps led to service in World War II as an aerial photo officer, with a promotion to the rank of First Lt. Honorably discharged in 1946, Ralph was employed by a closely held timber and lumber manufacturing company until it was acquired by a major paper corporation in 1965, and operations suspended. Mr. Taggart was active in the management of this Mississippi lumber company and became Vice-President. He wrote articles on lumber and forestry equipment, was elected President of the Mississippi Forestry Association, and served on the board of the Southern Pine Association, New Orleans, LA. Prior to a move to Blue Hill, ME, Mr. Taggart was a sales engineer for a New York Exchange listed chemical company. While residing in New Orleans, he was a member of the Southern Yacht Club, where he won many championships in his cruiser/racer sailboat. He was a member of the New Orleans Country Club, New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, The Pickwick Club and several Mardi Gras and other Men's clubs. He played on the varsity tennis team in college and was ranked 3rd in the state of Louisiana when he played in the senior tennis circuit. Flying was a love of his and he held a Commercial and Instrument rating, while accumulating some 1800 hours of flying time in his Beechcraft aircraft. While in Maine, he was a member of the Pot and Kettle Club, Bar Harbor, and the Blue Hill Country Club. He was an active patron of the Blue Hill Public Library. He lived his final days in South Carolina in his retirement home on James Island. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Molly Crosby Cole and son, Hollis Crosby Taggart; and his sister, Martha Keller. He was predeceased by his wife, Molly Crosby Taggart and son, Ralph Scott Taggart, Jr. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston