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Friday, January 03, 2003

By Nate Guidry, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Ralph R. Cunningham, a retired chemical analyst and music arranger from Butler, died of pneumonia Tuesday at Butler Memorial Hospital. He was 87.

After graduating from high school in McKees Rocks, Mr. Cunningham went to work as a chemical analyst for Shenango Coke & Chemical on Neville Island.

When he wasn't working as a chemist, Mr. Cunningham pursued his interests as a trombonist and musical arranger. He performed with Benny Burton and Johnny Martone and found time to write arrangements, including Lawrence Welk's "Bubbles in the Wine." The song was written by Welk, but the copyrighted version was arranged by Mr. Cunningham.

During World War II, he was drafted into the Army and served in the Philippines as the last bandleader of the 96th Infantry Division. After his discharge, he returned to Ingram and his job at Shenango, where he remained until his retirement in the late 1970s.

Mr. Cunningham is survived by his wife, Patricia; a sister, Ethel Paul of the North Hills; and a brother, Wesley Cunningham of Fountain Hill, Ariz.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today in William F. Young Jr. Funeral Home, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler. Interment will follow in Butler County Memorial Park.