Ralph T. Thacker
- Position
- Engineer
- Years in President's House
- circa 1974 – circa 1977
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
Ralph Thomas Thacker was born on June 7, 1921, in Reidsville, North Carolina.1 In 1939, Thacker enlisted in the U.S. Army; during World War II, he served in Europe and North Africa and earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Croix de Guerre for his service.2
Little is currently known about Thacker’s life after the war until he joined the White House staff sometime in the mid-1970s. He first appears on a 1974 staff list from Gerald R. Ford’s presidency.3 He was listed as an engineer, a role that often entails the maintenance of systems including HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration systems, and movie theater operations. Records demonstrate that Thacker worked at the White House at least through July 1977, and may have worked there until his passing on September 27, 1978.4 He was buried at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Maryland.5
- “Birthdays,” Undated, folder: folder “Birthdays (Residence Staff),” box 29, Betty Ford White House Papers, Gerald R. Ford Library, https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/library/document/0018/81556614.pdf; Ralph T Thacker in U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 226, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/records/6462661.
- Ralph Thacker in U.S., World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945, Publisher: National Publishing Co.; Publishing Place: Richmond, VA, USA; Publisher Date: 1946; Title: Young American Patriots, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8941/records/9788?tid=89452524&pid=302537932979&ssrc=pt.
- “Reception-Friday, December 13, 1974 at 4:00 p.m.,” folder: “12/13/74 - Residence Staff Christmas Party,” box 2, Betty Ford White House Papers, Gerald R. Ford Library, https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/library/document/0018/4515686.pdf.
- Rex Scouten to Elmer Atkins, July 12, 1977, folder Personnel (Residence) – [General, 1972-1987] (1), Office of the Executive Residence: Usher’s Office: Records, 1981-1989, Ronald Reagan Library, https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/public/digitallibrary/smof/ushersoffice/box-003/40-593-003-001-2020.pdf.
- “Ralph T. Thacker,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45423650/ralph-t-thacker.
- Birthplace
- Reidsville, North Carolina, USA
- Burial Place
- Maryland Veterans Cemetery
- Blue markers indicate birthplaces and green markers indicate burial places. Black markers are used for places of both birth and burial.