SCHREIBER, Ralph

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ September 3, 2007 Ralph Schreiber died Aug. 20, 2007, at the RTA Hospice center in Pinetop. Ralph was born Aug. 21, 1925, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Charles and Anna (Madden) Schreiber. Ralph attended Boise High School and married Norene Johnson. Ralph was one of the first students to join the Army Air Corps to pursue his passion to be an aviator. He served the U.S. Air Force with distinction during WWII, which ended before his training was complete, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam conflict, and during peacetime. He distinguished himself as a decorated test pilot, fighter pilot and one of the first to test the F Series fighters. He retired as major in 1969. Ralph and his wife of 50 years, Norene, retired to the White Mountains where he owned and operated a number of successful small businesses. Ralph was an active member of the White Mountain Sheriff's Posse and rode until injuries sustained during his military career ruled out horseback riding. He was proud of his contribution to establish a mobile kitchen, which could be used to feed firefighters and other emergency workers during a crisis. Mr. Schreiber is survived by his daughters, Jan Chatto of Kodiak, Ark., and Lynn Norris of Portland, Ore.; brother George Schreiber of Issaquah, Wash.; sister Mary Lou Brown of Redmond, Wash., and his granddaughter, Stacey Chatto of Melbourne, Australia. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. No services are planned. Arrangements are under the direction of Black's Mortuary of Show Low. Sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.blacksmortuary.com.