Oct. 5, 1923 – Nov. 13. 1995

SOUTH BEND - Memorial services were conducted last week in Largo, Fla., for former South Bend resident Dr. Ralph V. Ganser, 72, who died Nov. 13 in Clearwater, Fla.

Dr. Ganser, an otolaryngolist who practiced here for many years, specialized in surgery of the middle ear. He was one of this area's pioneers in the use of microscopes to aid in the delicate operations.

Dr. Ganser began his practice here in 1956. He headed the North Central Hearing Clinic from 1963 to 1976. In the latter years, it merged with the South Bend Clinic. He retired in 1987, and moved to Oldsmar, Fla.

He was the recipient of many medical honors, including the 1968 Award of Merit from the Hearing and Speech Center of St. Joseph County. In '68, he also served on a state panel that helped set standards for licensing hearing aid dealers.

In 1973, he was named a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Ganser was born Oct. 5, 1923, in Mishawaka. He received his bachelor's degree from Purdue University and his medical degree from the University of Chicago.

He served in the Army in World War II. Before setting up his practice in South Bend, he was an instructor at Baylor University in Houston.

On June 17, 1951, he married the former Lila Mae Smith. She survives, along with a son, David R. of El Paso, Texas; three daughters, Stephanie G. Thiess of Saline, Mich., Jacqueline G. McVey of South Bend, and Elizabeth G. Colomb of Chicago; three brothers, William J. of South Bend, Martin J. of Grand Junction, Colo., and James E. of West Milford, N.J.; a sister, Joanne Drozd of Virginia Beach, Va.; and eight grandchildren.

Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes in Largo, Fla., handled the funeral arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Medical and Biological Sciences at the University of Chicago.