Ralph King "Giving from the Heart"

Ralph King

Although Vero Beach has changed considerably from the sleepy seaside town Ralph King first visited in 1939, his love affair with Indian River County hasn't waned. Ralph's family was among a contingent of Ohioans who enjoyed the Vero lifestyle from their home base at the Riomar Country Club. Every spring, his mother traveled south with her children to spend a month with friends. "When we chided her about sponging off friends, she'd reply, 'If I ever win the golf club championship, I'll build a house in Riomar.' Well, she won the championship and she built that house," Ralph recalls.

Ralph's heart was never far from Vero Beach. While working as an executive and entrepreneur in Ohio, he carried on the King tradition by vacationing here with his wife, Jane, and their four children.

In 1976, a health crisis caused Ralph to rethink his lifestyle. "I had a heart attack and open heart surgery," he says, adding with amusement, "I decided I didn't want to shovel snow anymore." Following his heart's message, Ralph moved his family to Vero Beach in 1977.

Ralph's penchant for leadership found many outlets in his adopted hometown. In the 1990s, at the suggestion of Vero Beach banker John Moore, Ralph joined the hospital board. Later, while reading the IRMC Foundation's 21st Century Capital Campaign Case Statement, his civic-minded temperament stirred. "With government cutbacks, the majority of funding coming from Medicare and the numbers of uninsured using the emergency room, hospitals today are in a quandary. I wanted to help in some way. Unfortunately, most of my worldly goods were invested in the stock market." However, Ralph did find a way to contribute to the Foundation. He gave something near and dear to his heart – a piece of Riomar real estate. "By waiting out the real estate market, the hospital can achieve full value," Ralph says.

While serving as director and treasurer of the local United Way, he saw the consequences of a weakened economy. "During this kind of business cycle, nonprofits really need assistance." With a lifetime of business and finance experience, Ralph recognizes a shrewd investment. He has gained a deep understanding for the vital role of nonprofits through his involvement with organizations such as the YMCA, United Way, Vero Beach Planning and Zoning Board and the United States Seniors Golf Association.

Reflecting on IRMC's performance, he states, "The hospital is always looking forward by adding services. Jeff Susi has done a very good job. I hear nothing but kudos about IRMC from everyone I speak to." Ralph's complex medical history (three heart surgeries, prostate cancer, spinal stenosis, hip surgery) has made him intimately familiar with hospitals, including such notable institutions as the Cleveland Clinic. He has also been an Indian River Medical Center (IRMC) patient. "It's a very caring institution," he notes. When remembering a seriously ill friend's 13-day hospitalization at IRMC, he comments, "The nurses were outstanding. He received very, very good care."

Though Ralph has faced many health challenges and the loss of his beloved wife, Jane, to illness last year, he focuses on life's sweeter memories – the golden hours of golf, tennis and swimming at Riomar, surrounded by family and friends. Always one to keep his finger on the community pulse, he realizes our county will grow, but hopes it will develop in ways that don't compromise "our idyllic lifestyle." As more people discover this piece of paradise Ralph has enjoyed for seven decades, he knows one thing is certain. "The hospital is keeping pace with growth." Thanks to donors like Ralph King, IRMC will continue to serve the needs of a growing community.

Are you interested in making a gift of real estate to the Indian River Medical Center Foundation? Please contact the Foundation's Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, Murray Fournie, at 772.226.4951 or murray.fournie@irmc.cc.