Ralph Valentine enlisted into the United States Army Air Forces. In the summer of 1943, as an aviation cadet, Valentine completed an 11-week training course as a meteorologist at the Army Air Force weather school in Grand Rapids, MI. In early December of 1943, he was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base, IL, which contained another meteorologist training school. He also received a commission as a second lieutenant. Valentine worked as a meteorologist and weather officer at a weather post in Charleston, SC and later at Cortland Field, AL. Meteorology forecasts by the USAAF helped with the planning of land, air, and sea campaigns, shipping routes, airplane routes, strategic bombings, and reconnaissance missions. Valentine was discharged from the Army Air Forces as a first lieutenant. 

Ralph James “Ralphie” Valentine, Sr. was born on 1922-05-11 in Mahwah, NJ to Richard and Matilda Valentine. He had one older sister, Dorothy, who passed away before he was born. The Valentine’s lived on Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah. Valentine was a member of Boy Scout Troop #50. He was interested in stamps, mathematics, and chemistry. In high school, his goal was to become a chemical engineer. After graduating from Ramsey High School in 1939, he attended Pratt Institute and joined the reserve for the Army Air Force. He became engaged to Irene Mary Sandberg shortly before receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1943. They were married in 1944. 

After Valentine was discharged from the Army Air Force, the Valentine’s lived on Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah. He was a member of the Ramapo Reformed Church. He was assistant superintendent of the church’s Sunday school in 1952 and served as a layman and an elder. Valentine was employed at Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, NY as a senior chemical engineer and corrosion consultant. He worked for Lederle Laboratories for 34 years. He also worked for Pharmacia (10 years), and Bell Laboratories (5 years). He created his own consulting firm, Val-Corr, where he worked for 10 years. In addition to working as a chemical engineer, he was also employed as a corrosion and metallurgy expert. 

In addition to Mahwah, the Valentine’s lived in Emerson, NJ and Portage, MI. The Valentine’s had four children: Ralph Jr., Dorothy, Leonard, and Chris. While living in Emerson, NJ he was a member of the Community Church of Harrington Park. Here, Valentine served as clerk of the consistory, an elder, and chairman of the Benevolence committee. While living in Michigan, he was a member of the First Reformed Church of Grandville. Valentine remained married to Irene until her death in 1987. He remarried Suzanne Doorn on 1989-09-21. 

Valentine was an active member in numerous clubs and organizations. In 1972, he was elected to the International Platform Society, which was a club and trade association whose members made appearances before audiences. He was also a member of Mahwah’s Wednesday Evening Club, a bowler in the Lera Three-Man League, a fellow of the American Institute of Chemists, an accredited professional chemist, a member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, the New Jersey Institute of Chemists, and the VASA Order of America (and its district executive board in 1977). Additionally, he was featured in the books Who’s Who in the East and American Men of Science. Valentine passed away on 2004-10-14. He was 82. 

"3 Get Degrees," The Record, February 13, 1943, p. 4.

"Church Elects Elders, Deacons At Annual Fete," The Record, November 30, 1960, p. 28.

"Down our Street," The Record, May 10, 1977, p. 14. 

"Lera Three-Man," Orangetown Telegram and The Pearl River Searchlight, March 24, 1960, p. 15. 

"Mahwah Man Now a Lieutenant," Ridgewood Herald-News, January 27, 1944, p. 15. 

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 30, 1943, p. 3.

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 9, 1943, p. 2.

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, June 17, 1943, p. 2. 

"Mahwah News," Ramapo Valley Independent, June 21, 1945, p. 2.

"Miss Sandberg to Wed Ralph Valentine," The Sunday News, January 3, 1943, p. 15. 

"Mrs. Estabrook Named Head of Evening Club," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 30, 1953, p. 3.

"News of the Churches," Ramapo Valley Independent, January 29, 1953, p. 2.

"Platform for Valentine," The Record, February 23, 1972, p. 22. 

Ralph James Valentine, Find a Grave.

Ralph James Valentine Sr., Legacy.

Ralph James Valentine, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.

Ralph J Valentine, 1950 United States Federal Census.

Ralph J Valentine, New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Index, 1901-2016.

Ralph J Valentine Sr, U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1.

Ralph J Valentine, U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1.

Ralph Valentine, 1930 United States Federal Census.

Ralph Valentine, 1940 United States Federal Census.

Ralph Valentine, U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016.

"Ramapo Reformed Church," The Record, October 18, 1952, p. 5. 

"Ramapo Scouts Receive Awards At Honor Court," The Record, April 24, 1937, p. 10.

"To Graduate 142 At Ramsey High," The Record, June 15, 1939, p. 14.