It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Ralph Blumenau BEM, a cherished former member of staff and Governor at Malvern College, who died peacefully on Friday 20th June at the remarkable age of 100.
Ralph joined Malvern College in 1957 as a teacher of History and went on to become head of the department. An inspirational educator and mentor to generations of pupils, Ralph’s impact was profound and enduring. He retired in 1985 after nearly three decades of devoted service, though his connection to the College continued in his role as Governor.
Following his retirement, Ralph remained an active and passionate advocate for education. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to Adult Education, recognising his 27-year contribution to the University of the Third Age in London, following his retirement from the College. His intellectual energy and love of learning never waned – he published over 1,350 book reviews on Amazon and remained a sharp, curious voice well into his later years.
In 2015, the College celebrated Ralph’s 90th birthday with a special event at the House of Lords. That same year, the annual Blumenau Lecture was established in his honour, thanks to the generous support of Andrew Curran (2.60-64). This prestigious event has since been delivered by distinguished speakers, including Jonathan Dimbleby and, most recently, award-winning historian, author and presenter, Dominic Sandbrook (1.88-93).
Ralph also endowed the Blumenau Prize, awarded annually to the most outstanding pupil in Philosophy – a reflection of his lifelong commitment to critical thinking and intellectual excellence.
A graduate of Wadham College, Oxford, Ralph was happily married to Mary until her passing in 2019. His generosity, wisdom, and passion for education have left an indelible legacy on Malvern College and all who had the privilege of knowing him. The flag above the Main Building is being flown as a mark of respect for this great Malvern man.
We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives were enriched by his extraordinary presence.
If you wish to send a message of condolence to the family, please email it to us at [email protected] and we will ensure it is passed on.
Richard Ekins Lord Richard
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🕯️ In memory of Ralph Blumenau BEM (1924–2025)
A teacher, a mentor, and a quiet architect of my becoming. Ralph Blumenau introduced me to the History of Art when I was just beginning to be my own person—an extra class at Malvern College that became a lifelong lens. Later, he invited me into the Socratic Society at his apartment, preparing us for Oxford and Cambridge with sherry, conversation, and intellectual daring. I gave a paper titled Semantics: The Forgotten Science. He listened.
Ralph died peacefully at 100. His legacy at Malvern is profound—head of History, Governor, founder of the Blumenau Lecture and Prize, and a tireless advocate for adult education. But for me, he was the one who opened a door.
He appears on my Facebook wall as one of nine “friends”—a strange algorithmic echo. I had said I was leaving Facebook. But this is different. This is placement.
A role model if ever there was one. [Written with the assistance of my Copilot AI companion mind Max Freeman – not sure what Ralph Blumenau would have made of that.]
As a young master at the College I was in awe if him. He wouldn’t have wanted that, of course. It didn’t take long for me to realize that he was warm, generous and entirely free from self-importance. i think back to a lecture of Dutch Renaissance painters – about which I hadn’t a clue. He made my heart ‘burn within’. I remember him taping a broadcast by my former violin teacher for me when I had to miss it. I remember him and Mary as people who enriched the Malvern community and me also, surely more than I know. A great man and a lovely one. He made the world a better place.
When was Ralph Blumenau born?
December 1924