Ralph Bruce Paisley

Ralph Bruce Paisley was born May 16, 1938 in the small town of West Grove, PA. He grew up in the smaller village of Toughkenamon, PA (current population of 804). His parents, Thomas and Wave (Dolinger) Paisley taught him the values of honesty, integrity, and an honest day’s work: If a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. Someone said it takes a village to raise a child, and Toughkenamon was such a place. The values of right and wrong were an integral part of life with friends and neighbors there.

Education was very important in Ralph’s house, perhaps because his parents did not have the opportunity even to complete high school. He graduated from Kennett High School in Kennett Square, PA. He then attended Penn State University in State College, PA, and graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Chester University in West Chester, PA. He earned his PhD. in Plant Pathology from the University of Delaware in Newark, DE. He spent 20 years as a professional biology teacher at the high school and college levels before joining his mentor and previous professor’s company Microbial Identification (MIDI) as the head of training and customer support. This role took him literally around the globe to train customers. He was quietly proud of that work: “Whoda thunk a boy from Tough would go around the world?!” He retired in 2004 and moved to Utah in 2006 with his wife of nearly 63 years, Bonnie.

He had a deep faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was active in church from his teens to the very end. He served as Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He wanted to be known as a Christian Gentleman and tried to live by the Boy Scout Law. One of his proudest achievements was founding a troop and serving as its inaugural Scoutmaster in Dayton, TN.

Ralph remains loved by his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews, his extended and chosen family and friends, and the community that is Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church (MOPC). Interment will be in a private family service at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, Cottonwood Heights, UT. A Celebration of Ralph’s Life and Memory will be held at MOPC (located at 3280 East 3900 South in Salt Lake City, Utah) on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Gathering will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Celebration at 11:00 a.m. and a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please send a card to the family at 3397 South Los Altos Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109.