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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Mary Theresa Ortiz

Ralph P. Palomba was born at home on Pleasant Avenue between 116th and 117th Streets in New York, NY on July 8, 1926. At age 17 he joined the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and served for 22 months. Upon return home from the military, on the GI bill, for a year he attended Mohawk College in Utica, NY. He subsequently attended New York University (NYU) in New York, NY, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Education, with an emphasis in Mathematics. He attended The Cooper Union on nights and weekends for seven years, and earned his degree in electrical engineering in June 1959. From 1948 to 1950 he worked for the Boys Club, and then Chase National Bank (1950-1952). In September 1950, Ralph P. Palomba married the former Laura Rega. From 1952 to 1955 he worked for Western Electric; during this time he began attending The Cooper Union. He then worked for the
Bendix Corporation in New Jersey from 1955-1957. In 1957 he moved his family from the Bronx, NY, to Islip Terrace, Long Island, NY. Together, Ralph and Laura have eight children, Louise, Maryann, Patricia, Gregory, Laura, Jeanette, Stephen and Lisa, 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Ralph started work at Grumman June 30th, 1957, and retired from there on October 31, 1990. While at Grumman he reviewed paperwork for the L.E.M., used in the Apollo missions. Ralph and Laura currently live in Wesley Chapel, Florida, where they enjoy visits from family and friends.