Ralph P. Dodd
SARATOGA SPRINGS — DODD, Ralph P., age 91, of Saratoga Springs and Belmar, NJ (formerly of Hackensack) died April 26, 2023.
Ralph was born and raised in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Answering the call for his country, he interrupted his studies at Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA., to enlist in the Marine Corp. during the Korean War. He was quietly very proud of his combat service in Korea. In 1951, he married the love of his life, Barbara (Strauss). He was discharged in 1954, where they took up residence in Hackensack, NJ. He completed his education at night on the GI bill at Seton Hall University obtaining a BS in Business Administration and earning his MBA in Finance at Fairleigh Dickinson University. During the days he was co-founder of International Controls Corp. (ICC), originally designers and manufacturers of valves and pressure switches. By 1972, ICC had grown to more than 7,200 employees, 17 operating divisions, and its stock traded on the American Stock Exchange. He resigned from the company in 1973 and purchased a seat and retail firm on the NY Stock Exchange. Although successful, he yearned for “getting his hands dirty and making something,” as he would say. In 1979, he left the financial world to purchase Cartridge Actuated Devices (CAD), a designer and manufacturer of electro-mechanical devices containing explosives for both power and speed. The products he manufactured became mainstays for the US Military on missiles, rockets, ships, aircraft and torpedoes.
Twenty years later, having grown CAD six-fold, he sold his company to a major US firm based in Missouri. He remained President of the company until moving with his wife to Saratoga Springs in 2008. He remained very active as CAD’s Chairman of the Board of Directors until finally retiring in 2017 at the age of 86. Concurrently, he was President and co-owner of Encasa International, a precious metal recoverer based in Costa Rica and active throughout Central America. He was an inventor, having a patent on an explosive bolt used in military and commercial applications. Ralph was a proud and popular member of the NJ Football Officials Association officiating two games every season weekend of his 10-year membership, and often lectured on his specialty position, Head Linesman. He had been a member of the Englewood, Rockaway and Hackensack Golf Clubs. He was head usher at Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack for many years. He is pre-deceased by his wife of 65 years, Barbara (2017) and his daughter, Diane (2013). He is survived by his sons, Robert (Bobby) and wife, Terri, of Bradley Beach, NJ; and Dr. Gregory and wife, Vicki of Saratoga Springs; five Grandchildren; Melissa, Emily and husband Mark, Erika, Zach and fiancé Michele and Kelsey. Great-Grandchildren Ceara, Josephine, Vincent and one more on the way in May.
Semper Fi.
Relatives and Friends gathered to remember him on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, Saratoga Springs, and on May 1, 2023 at the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union St., Hackensack, NJ. A Funeral Home Service will be conducted at the Gentile Funeral Home followed by burial in George Washington Memorial Cemetery. A Repass will follow for all callers.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
