Veteran Palisades High School chemistry teacher Ralph Everett Hedges, who lived in Santa Monica, passed away on September 22 at the age of 80. Born on November 2, 1924, Hedges served in the U. S. Army in World War II and graduated from UCLA in chemistry. He began teaching high school chemistry in 1958, and was on the faculty at PaliHi from 1962 until he retired in 1988. He taught regular chemistry, honors and advanced placement and was considered a “challenging” teacher. One student, when asked on the quad whether he wanted Mr. Cole or Mr. Hedges, was overhead saying, “It doesn’t matter, they’re both harder than hell!” Hedges was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica and a member of Alpha Gamma Omega Retired Teachers. After he retired, he delivered Meals on Wheels for 18 years, first with another volunteer, and then later with his wife, Marilyn. The two often brought extra goodies to their house-bound seniors, including baked sweets and flowers from their garden. They also loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and many countries. While at PaliHi, Hedges was the American Field Service representative for several years and would arrange student exchanges abroad. In addition to his wife of 51 years, he is survived by his children, Kathleen Loftman (husband Russell) and Robert Hedges (wife Patricia), and sisters Elizabeth Hedges and Marie Rourke. A celebration of his life will be held on October 1 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1008 11th Street in Santa Monica. In lieu of flowers, contributions made to the Hedges Family Scholarship, 1008 11th Street; The Music Concert Fund, c/o United Methodist Church, 1008 11th Street; or Santa Monica/Palisades/Malibu Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 7001, Santa Monica, CA 90406-7001.
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