Scottdale chiropractor dedicated to his profession
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An early encounter with chiropractic medicine is what planted the seed that would become a lifelong career for Dr. Ralph Geary.
As a boy, he had a medical problem doctors said could not be corrected — until he was taken to a chiropractor, said Betty Jean Geary, his wife of 64 years.
“After that, he got interested in the profession,” she said. “He was very dedicated to his profession, and that’s why he loved every minute of it.”
Dr. Geary went on to practice chiropractic medicine for 66 years, including 55 years in Scottdale.
Dr. Ralph E. Geary of Scottdale died Saturday, April 13, 2019, at his home. He was 89.
Born in Frostburg, Md., on March 3, 1930, he was a son of the late Raymond Charles and Bertha Ellen (Miller) Geary. He graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis in 1952 and earned his pre-chiropractic requirements at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
He started his career in the Shanksville area and then moved to Marietta, Ohio, where he met his wife. Traveling between Ohio and Maryland, he made the acquaintance of Connellsville chiropractor Dr. James Benford, who suggested he start a practice in Scottdale.
He opened on Chestnut Street in 1963 and moved to the first floor of his house in the mid-1970s. He operated the practice with his wife and was joined by his son, Dr. Daniel R. Geary, in 1987.
“When I was in high school, I could see the respect people had for my dad because of his dedication and thought this would be a wonderful profession to go into,” his son said. “I saw how many people he helped.”
Geary said his father put his patients first.
“He was a very giving person. He always wanted to help someone who was in pain,” he said. “There were many times, on Christmas morning or Thanksgiving, when a local farmer would get hurt and my dad would see them because they needed to get back to work. They were very appreciative of him seeing them.”
Dr. Geary stayed active with the practice through 2018. “He was in the office helping, pulling files. He’d walk to the bank or post office when we needed it,” his son said.
Dr. Geary also was active with his church, Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, Scottdale, and the Scottdale Rotary Club. He was a longtime member of the church’s dart ball team and ranked among the all-time league leaders in numerous categories.
He received the Paul Harris Fellow Award for a lifetime of service to Rotary.
Dr. Geary is survived by his wife, Betty Jean (Hall) Geary; his son, Dr. Daniel R. Geary and his wife, Susan; and a brother.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Graft-Jacquillard Funeral and Cremation Services, 303 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, where additional visitation will take place from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the 11 a.m. service. Interment will follow in Scottdale Cemetery.