Ralph “Mike” Switzer

SWITZER, RALPH M. Pikeville, TN. (Formerly of Ypsilanti) Age 62 passed away Thursday October 11, 2012 at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, MI. He was born September 5, 1950 in Ypsilanti, Michigan son of Ralph and Mary( Roberson) Switzer. Ralph was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corp after serving his country during the Vietnam Era. He loved to hunt, fish and party. Survivors include his son; Michael Switzer of Saline, MI. two brothers; Johnny Switzer of Ypsilanti and James (Elizabeth) Switzer of Irish Hills. Two sisters; Vickie (Kelzo) Newsom and Pamela (William) Taylor, both of Belleville, MI. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers; Carter, Gary, Harvey "Randy" and Charles "Corky". Funeral Services will be 1:30 pm Monday October 15, 2012 at Stark Funeral Service 101 S. Washington Street Ypsilanti, MI with Pastor Gordon Moore, officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorial Contributions can be made to the VA Palliative Care Fund VA Ann Arbor "135" 2215 Fuller Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Envelopes are available at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6-9 pm Sunday at the funeral home. Please sign his guest book at www.starkfuneral.com.


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Published in Ann Arbor News from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14, 2012.

My Brother: Alpha 69-70: Ralph M. Switzer

I am emailing you for the reason of my brothers email listed within the members. Let me start by saying my brother, commonly known as 'Mike" by his family and friends, has passed away several years ago in the Ann Arbor, MI VA Hospital.

I was hoping that you'd favorably replace his email with that of my own email. The reason for this request is that I'd hope to one day find someone has contacted him ( my email address) whereby I might be able to email that person back and ask of them any information they may have about my brothers time in Nam with his Recon Team. Mike was very proud of his Marine Corps Recon Status.

He, Ralph, (Mike) was wounded in the leg-loosing it from being shot, his words, by a guy who was high and flipped out when someone threw a bucket in the barracks-the guy opened up, my brother got hit.

My brother did receive a bronze medal for, While on patrol, run up on some enemy, shot the lead man, threw a grenade allowing his team to escape / withdraw. I do know at one point he carried a radio. His DD214 says he was a Sargent.

Well, hopefully you'll continue carrying his member name and associate my email with it for the above reason.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
James C. Switzer My email address: hard2rock@yahoo.com