Remembering Ralph Blumenau

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. He died on Friday 20th June, age 100.