Dr. Ralph W. Day Obituary (1939 - 2023)

Ralph William Day, M.D., Ph,D., FACOG, after working hard to overcome the effects of a stroke, succumbed to the impact of the severe stroke on March 6, 2023, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was engaging in activities he loved right up until the day of his illness. Dr. Day was born in humble circumstances in Hanover, NH in a logging camp. Ralph spent his childhood traveling around New England with his lumber jack father and mother. He excelled at school and took an avid interest in the Future Farmers of America (serving as President of the local chapter in High School) and he also played basketball. This was likely a precursor of his huge interest in the Boston Celtics, of which team was the biggest fan. Dr. Day graduated as valedictorian of his high school class and was encouraged by guidance counselors to go to college. This opened up opportunities that he hadn't dreamed of previously. He began his educational career at the University of New Hampshire where he obtained a B.S. in poultry science and studied biochemistry in preparation for medical school. He then earned his Ph.D. and Medical Degree at the University of Oklahoma in 1970, followed by an internship in Pediatrics and a subsequent Residency with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, culminating his educational repertoire in 1974. Dr. Day served as a United States Air Force Flight Surgeon until 1977 when he began his private practice in Rochester, NH until 2001. Dr. Day's cross-country move led him to Altus, OK where he worked at Jackson Co. Memorial Hospital, Women's Health Associates Clinic until 2004. He eventually joined the OU Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology faculty member from 2007 through 2016. Dr. Day was a highly respected faculty member who served an important role in the education of OU residents and medical students. He began performing Locum Tenens and On Call services leading up to his hire in 2007 at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Day was a talented educator and mentor for the residents and students. He always had a heart for education, beginning with his Air Force career where he was Chairman of an Obstetrics & Gynecology department in a Family Practice Residency Program. At Lawton Indian Hospital he mentored special forces medics, and throughout his career he taught residents, Medica, Nursing, Midwifery and Physician Assistant students. His leadership and investment in the future of health care professionals is certainly commendable. Dr. Day's 40+ year career is speckled with service to numerous committees, organizations, leadership positions, publications, and contributions beyond what can be listed here. Dr. Day will forever be a member of the OU family. After retiring at the age of 77 he continued to pursue many interests. Dr. Day took courses in H-VAC, art and continued his love of farming by building a total of four ranches/farms in his lifetime. Dr. Day never stopped learning and pursing interests he was passionate about. Dr. Day was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Freda Day, his sister Betty Day Donahue, and his beloved son, Robert (Rob) Charles Day. Dr. Day is survived by his beloved wife Diane Borner Day, his sisters Freda (Babe) Day Seargent and Angelina (Lee) Day Marcotte, his children: Patricia (Kelly) Day Davies, and husband Robert Davies, Deborah (Diane) Day Biron, and husband Robert Biron, William Robert (Bobby) Day and wife Bonnie Day, Alexander Edward Day, Anniska Elizabeth Day and partner Lupe Abad. Dr Day had many grandchildren: Josiah Davies, Elijah Davies and wife Emily Davies, Micayla Day Hebert and husband Jordan Hebert, Robert (Robbie) Charles Day, II., Kearstin Day and partner Tyler Avery, Kevin Day, Ian Tate Snow and William Joseph (Joe) Day, Thomas Biron, Elaina Biron and Javier Perez. Dr. Day has four great grandchildren: Scarlett Davies, Henry Hebert, Eliana Avery and Jack Hebert, as well as many nieces and nephews, friends and "bonus children" too numerous to list, but who will forever be grateful for the way he touched their lives. There were many passions in Dr. Day's life, but he would cite his love for Jesus as the most profound. He came to know Him late in life but was greatly influenced by the love and unconditional acceptance he received. He spent the last thirty years of his life studying the scriptures and learning as much as he could about God daily.