Notes:
Lived in Berks and Lancaster County, PA.
More on Ralph Wilhelm Kinsey can be found here: http://www.tulpehockenroots.org/strauss/p000007f.htm#I25569
Reading Eagle, Tuesday, February 6, 1973, Page 24
Ralph Kinsey Dies at 88
Ralph W. (Biff) Kinsey, 88, active in local masonic circles, died this morning in the Masonic Home, Eliabethtown, where he was a guest since November 1971.
A member of Chandler Lodge 227, F&AM, Mr. Kinsey was assistant director of the degree wrk of the Reading Consistory in 1919 and in 1938 assumed the directorship until 1957.
In May 1954, he was the recipient of the Freedoms Foundations award for his state production of "The Free and the Brave."
Since directing his first play in 1910, Mr. Kinsey direct and produced 80 local productions, including many that he wrote.
He was the author of "Washington, Greatest of American Patriots and Masons" presented in 1932 on the bicentennial of the birth of George Washington.
Until 1953, Mr. Kinsey wrote and produced for the Pomeroy Players, the Reading High School Alumni Players, athe Belmont Club, the Catholic LIts, the American Legion of Pootstown and others. In all there were 105 shows he was connected with.
Born in Reading, a son of the late Walter P. and Clara (Wilhelm) Kinsey, he was graduated from Reading High school in 1903, where he was editor-in-chief of the "Red and Black" and class orator at graduation.
He was graduated first in the Latin Scientific Department of Lehigh University in 1907. During his college career he won every English prize available.
Upon graduation, Mr. Kinsey became a reporter for the former "Reading Herald" and became a feature write and drama critic, writing under the name Ben Webster.
In 1910, he beamce an advertising manger. He was a teacher in the Reading evening High School from 1910 to 1917, and taught four years in the former Keystone Insitute.
Mr. Kinsey was the official scorer for the old Tri-State Reading baseball team, the Union Legue and the Reading City Twilight League.
He was an umpire in the old chruch baseball league and for about two years coached the Reading Evening High School football team.
He managed the Reading High School relay team in 1902 when it was the second tem to win the Univeristy of Pennsylvania relay cup.
He was twice president of the Reading High School Alumni Assn. in 1909 and from 1922 to 1925 He was publicity director for the former Opera House and the old pendora park.
A member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, he was a charter member of the Reading Exchange Club. oneof the founders of Pomeroy Country Club, n ow Green Valley Country Coub, and was a member of the prgram committe of the Reading Bicentennial celbration and was a president of the Pomeroy Quarter Century Club.
Theo C. Auman, Inc. has charge.
Reading Eagle, Wednesday, February 7, 1973, Page 70
Kinsey Rites Slated Friday
Services for Ralph W. Kinsey, 88, formerly active in Masonic Work and local theater productions, who died Tuesday morning in the Masonic HOme, Ealizabethtown, where he was a guest since Novmeber 1971, will be held Friday at 3 p.lm.
The Rev. Gunther J. Stippich will officate in the Theo. C. Auman, Inc., funeral Home. Burial will be made in Charles Evans Cemetery.
Mr. Kinsey, formerly of 532 Center Ave., was preceded in death Nov 14, 1964, by his wife, Beulah B. Kinsey.
He is survied by a daughter, ChristineL., wife of Geroge H. Frey Jr., Pittsfield, Mass, and a granddaughter. |
