Ralph F. "Red" Ellmaker

Ralph F. “Red” Ellmaker, 85, of New Cumberland, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in his residence.

Red was born on March 18, 1931 in New Cumberland to the late Milton Ralph and Elizabeth I. (Quigley) Ellmaker. He attended the local public schools including New Cumberland High School. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a Master Sergeant with the Strategic Air Command until he retired in 1974. For the remainder of his life he was more than happy to explain the superiority of air power during any discussions involving the armed services. When he returned to New Cumberland he became known as the “King of the River” for his daily expeditions on the Susquehanna River in his small boat. Though the vessel was equipped with a motor, it was seldom used as Red preferred rowing to his destinations. The time spent on the river afforded him the chance to engage in one of his favorite hobbies… fishing. He had fished the river as a boy and kept with it on his travels all over the globe during his stint in the Air Force. He often told stories about using “red wiggler worms” for bait when he was stationed in Louisiana. He would refer to the red wiggler as ‘the Cadillac of worms.” Though he was devoted to the river he stayed active after his retirement by doing yard and lawn work. He carried a business card that read “No Weed Too Big, Too Small, Too Dead, Too Alive, I pull ’em all.”

In his later years Red was the defacto mayor and historian of New Cumberland. His many friends knew they could find him every day having lunch at Nick’s 114 in downtown New Cumberland. He could always be found in the same spot standing rather than sitting in front of a stool where he would regal his fellow patrons with stories. He would talk about the first Karns Meat Market and where it was located. He reminisced about races that involved climbing the iron bridge that spans the Yellow Breeches at the lower end of town. He talked about how the original building on the spot where you were standing was carried away in the Agnes flood back in 1972. It seemed that day in day out he fulfilled a mission (as he would call it) to entertain and inform. His stories and his unique way of telling them will be missed.

Red is survived by siblings, nieces and nephews, as well as by the many who had the privilege to know him and call him friend through his many years.

His life was lived on his own terms.

Graveside services with military honors will be held on March 22, 2017 at 10:00 AM in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Township, Lebanon County.

Please omit flowers. Instead, please consider a memorial contribution in Red’s memory to the charity of your choice.

To send messages of condolence or for driving directions, please visit www.Parthemore.com .