Slusher, Ralph C.

Ralph C. Slusher, M.D. of Evington, died early Monday morning, October 29, 2012, at Lynchburg General Hospital. Born August 18, 1932, in Terre Haute, Ind., he was the son of the late C.C. and Edrie Lee Slusher. A graduate of Virginia Tech and the Medical College of Virginia, he was a general family doctor for 52 years in the Altavista area. As a physician, one of his most outstanding contributions was the delivery of over 4300 babies to the many families he served. He was a member of many medical organizations and most notably was a Fellow and founding charter member of the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP). Dr. Slusher was also a retired Brigadier General of the USAR medical corps having served in many active duty tours, including Operation Desert Storm where he commanded the 2290th Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. As a community leader, he was a scoutmaster to Troop 184 where he guided 17 scouts to the rank of Eagle. He had a love and appreciation for photography and was also an avid Hokie and Redskin football fan. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Nancy Anne Spangler Slusher; a sister, Betty Jean Wilson and husband, Thomas, of Radford; a son, Ralph Mark and his wife, Carla, of Evington; a daughter, Misty Jill Slusher Hostetter and husband, Dean, of Forest; and a son, Ralph Kendall, of Evington. Additionally, he is survived by six grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg is in charge of funeral arrangements. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 3, 2012, from noon to 2 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home, with a chapel service to follow at 2 pm. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, with full military honors. An online guestbook is available at www.hornefuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the local American Cancer Society at 2050 Langhorne Road Suite 201 Lynchburg, VA 24501, the PenFed Foundation (a charity to assist the financial needs of wounded veterans) at 2930 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314, or the Centra Foundation at 1920 Atherholt Road Lynchburg, VA 24501. The family would like to offer many thanks to the nurses and medical staff of Lynchburg General Hospital Neuro-ICU for their compassion, care, and dedication.