🇺🇸 Ralph B. Jaeger, 83 – German Teacher, Cross Country Coach

Ralph B. Jaeger, 83, of Pottsville, passed away on Friday morning, April 10, in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East Norwegian, Pottsville.

Born in New York City, NY on November 13, 1936, he was a son of the late Josef and Lina (Kerchgeasner) Jaeger.

He was a 1955 graduate of John Adams High School, New York City; 1959 graduate of Penn State University; and 1965 graduate of Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT , where he received his Masters of Education.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy.

Ralph was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville.

He was a German teacher at Blue Mountain High School. He coached the Cross Country team for 18 years. During his tenure his teams compiled a record of 192 wins – 8 losses. The teams won 15 consecutive Schuylkill Boys League titles and 131 consecutive dual meets.

After retiring from teaching he worked for State Representative Bob Allen.

Ralph was a member of the Caldwell Consistory of Bloomsburg; a member of the City of Pottsville HARB; a former member of the Pottsville Free Public Library; past President and board member of the former Pottsville Club; and a member of the Pottsville Rotary Club.

He was married to the late Margaret “Peggy” (Dragna) Jaeger, who died April 14, 2020 and to whom he was married for 53 years . In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Gertrude Trautman and a nephew, Theodore Trautman.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Doctors and Nurses of LVHN -Schuylkill East for their care and compassion.

A memorial service will be announced and held at a later date.

The family request contributions in Ralph’s memory be sent to: Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901.

Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.