Ralph Lawrence Guile, son of Lawrence Freeman (1885-1968) and Margaret I. (Hugh) (1883-1945) Guile, was born 7 May 1910 Ingham County, Michigan. He graduated in 1928 from Okemos High School. Ralph went on to further his education at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) where he received his B.S., M.S. and PhD degrees in chemistry.
On May 14, 1942, in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, Ralph married Lorraine Anne Rauls. Lorraine, born 16 June 1915 Fond-du-Lac County, Wisconsin, was also a chemistry student at MAC where she obtained her B.S. and M.S. degrees. Ralph and Lorraine settled in Ingham County where they raised 2 daughters and a son, also graduates of OHS, and Ralph became a distinguished professor in the MSU Chemistry Department.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 22 January 1943
M.S.C. LABORATORY BLAST BURNS TWO
RESEARCH ASSISTANT, GRADUATE STUDENT SLIGHT CASUALTIES IN EXPLOSION
A woman research assistant and a graduate student were slightly burned Friday morning when a test tube exploded in the third floor laboratory of the Kedzie Chemical building.
The casualty victims were Mrs. Ralph Guile, wife of Doctor Guile of the chemistry staff, and Arnold Ott of Clare. Both were slightly burned about the face and hands and were removed to the College hospital where they were given first aid treatment.
College authorities said Mrs. Guile and Ott were conducting an experiment with ether when there was a flash from the equipment. Concussion from the explosion shattered several windows in the laboratory and set fire to the work table. The fire was quickly extinguished, officials said.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 10 September 1959
M.S.U MAN GETS FULBRIGHT GRANT
Dr. Ralph L. Guile, Michigan State university chemistry professor, has been awarded a Fulbright grant from the U.S. state department to lecture and study at Trinity college, Dublin, Ireland this year.
A member of the M.S.U. faculty since 1939, he will be on sabbatical leave to continue research in technical studies. It is his second Fulbright grant. In 1951, Dr. Guile was a visiting lecturer at the University of Ghent in Belgium.
Dr. Guile, a resident of 4990 Okemos rd., will leave with his family for Ireland on Sept. 21.
Ralph died 26 January 1982, Lansing, Ingham County. Lorraine died 8 April 2003. Ralph and Lorraine were interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos, Ingham County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 27 January 1982
GUILE, DR. RALPH LAWRENCE
4990 N. OKEMOS RD.
EAST LANSING
Age 71, died Jan. 27, 1982. Born May 7, 1910 in Ingham County. Dr. Guile was a lifelong resident of Ingham County and was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. He received his B.S., M.S. and PhD degrees from MSU. He retired as a professor from the MSU Chemistry Dept. He was associated with the University for over 50 years. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, the Academy for the Advancement of Science and the Okemos Lodge No. 252 F & AM. Dr. Guile was a Fulbright Scholar at the University if Ghent in Belgium (1950) and at Trinity University, Dublin, Ireland (1960). He was also a SEATO Fellow in Bangkok, Thailand (1968). Dr. Guile was known by many for his beautiful garden on North Okemos Road. Surviving are his wife, Lorraine A.; 2 daughters, Miss Mary L. Guile of Okemos; and Mrs. George (Jean Ann) Ash of Ypsilanti and 1 son, Bruce R. Guile of California. A Memorial Eucharist Service will be held Fri. 10 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church with the Rev. Edward G. Rice and the Rev. John L. Mitman officiating.