Gerke, Ralph A., 93, a longtime resident of Bloomfield, died peacefully after suffering from long-term Covid after-effects on Wednesday, January 27 at The Village at South Farms in Middletown, CT. Born on December 14, 1927 in Detroit, MI, he had lived in Bloomfield for 33 years. Following his service in the U.S. Navy, he graduated from Oberlin College, where he met his future wife, Elizabeth (Betsy) H. Thompson. They moved to CT, where Ralph earned a master's degree in teaching from Wesleyan University. He taught English for 29 years at Bloomfield High School, including honors and UConn credit courses. His students included at least two generations of Bloomfield residents, many of whom fondly remember his engaging and playful methods of helping them see new perspectives. Active in the Boy Scouts, Ralph served as Scoutmaster of Troop 13 in Bloomfield for several years. At the age of fifty, he rekindled his love of aquatic instruction, serving as a waterfront director at Camp Tadma and then Camp Workcoeman for many summers. He delighted campers and parents alike with his campfire song leading and his famous rendition of "Rindercella". A lover of music, Ralph played percussion in the Bloomfield Community Band and could often be heard singing as he enjoyed his pastimes of gardening, carpentry, and landscaping. Ralph loved the outdoors, especially gardening, nature walking, hiking, camping, running, swimming, and sailing. He and his wife Betsy spent many summer vacations at their beloved Cape Cod, MA where they had honeymooned and later built a second home. Ralph was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Betsy, and several older brothers and sisters. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Bryson H. Thompson and his wife Margie, of Miami, FL; his daughter Maggie and her husband Ken, of Newtown, CT; and his five sons: Thompson, of Stafford, VA; Peter, of Southborough, MA; David, of Nolanville, TX; James, of Framingham, MA; and Chris and his wife Cathy, of Amston, CT; as well as nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. A private memorial gathering will be held on Cape Cod, the place Ralph and Betsy loved the most, at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ralph's memory may be made to the donor's charity of choice.