of Little Rock, AR
October 22, 1920 - July 31, 2007
Dr. Ralph T. Eubanks of Little Rock passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2007. Born October 22, 1920, at Cecil, Arkansas, the career speech communications professor led a rich life that began on a farm in western Arkansas and included service as a Marine during World Ward II, numerous college degrees and notoriety as one of the most respected scholars in the field of speech and public address.
His freshman year of college and the University of Arkansas was interrupted by World War II. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served his country in the Southwest Pacific as a Sergeant with VMF124, 1st Squadron of the F4U-1 Corsairs. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant at Quantico, Virginia, October 1944, and trained as a platoon leader with the 4th Marine Division at Camp Tarawa, Hawaii, for "Operation Olympia," the United States invasion of the Japanese homeland. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain.
He finished his delayed undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas in 1949, and earned his Master's degree and PhD from the University of Florida at Gainesville. He served as a professor of Communication Arts at the University of Arkansas for 15 years and as a guest professor at LSU, Henderson State, University College-Dublin, Ireland and Florida State University's Florence, Italy Campus. For 20 years, he was a professor at the University of West Florida. He was founder and chairman of the Department of Communication Arts and for two years was Dean of Alpha College, UWF's College of Arts and Sciences.
He authored and co-authored several college textbooks and numerous articles on public speaking and rhetoric. Honors and memberships included Phi Beta Kappa, Acacia Fraternity, outstanding instructor at the University of West Florida (twice), president of the Southern Speech Communications Association, editor of the Southern Speech Journal and emeritus professor of the Communication Arts at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock.
He was a lifelong supporter of University of Arkansas Razorbacks and enjoyed an intimate relationship with University of Arkansas athletics that included speech writing for Coach Frank Broyles, friendships with assistant coaches and taking a special interest in the many athletes who enrolled in his classes.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Betty; two children, Linda E. Umphress of Cordova, Tennessee and Ralph C. Eubanks of Little Rock; their spouses, Joe Umphress and Margo Eubanks; two grandchildren, Ashley Umphress Ward and James Rogers Eubanks; two great-grandchildren, Hayden and Avery Ward; sisters, Emogene Crawford of Sedona, Arizona, Lois Lee of Fort Smith, Faye White of Pacific Palisades, California; and a brother, Claude Eubanks of Fort Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Columbia Eubanks and his sister, Mildred McCabe.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 3, 2007 at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock with Reverend Steve Hancock, Reverend Jim Miller, and Reverend Robert Lowery officiating. Graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m., at the New Cemetery, Mulberry, Arkansas.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501)224-8300.
Lasting memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
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26 Condolence(s)
Brenda Sue Luke (Berg)
Monday, February 11, 2019
I remember Dr Eubanks as a kind and outstanding professor of rhetoric and phonetics. I graduated from UWF in 1971, when we were parking between the tall pines near Alpha College. I believe that I used just about everything Dr Eubanks had taught me. He was wonderful!
Dr. Carl L. Kell
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Dr. Eubanks was my mentor and my hero. Pleasing him with my work in rhetoric and public address was more important to me than any thing else in life save my faith and my family. I miss my teacher and my friend.
Emogene Crawford
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
This wonderful and celebrated man was my brother, and for 85 years was "bigger than life" to me and mine. I shall adore his memory and treasure his life and love directed toward his family and friends. No one knows yet the depth of this great teacher and mentor, and friend to so many he loved, and uplifted with his rare and appreciated talent for making others feel their worth. I shall ALWAYS miss him and his sage advice and encouragement! We shared so much in life and I plan on sharing eternity in God's heaven with him someday. Emogene Crawford
Gil Adams
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Mrs. Eubanks, please accept my condolences. Even though it's been too many years, my memories of visits with your family are still fresh and I was deeply saddened with the passing of Dr. Eubanks. It's not often that someone affects others' lives like he has and I hope you can always be comforted in the knowledge that he accomplished so much and had such a positive influence on everyone. I think the natural place for him in this life was to teach and I think he taught much more than he realized. If there were more people like him, the world would be a much better place. I wish the very best for you and your family. Gil
Steven Tuley
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
I was saddened to see the passing of Dr. Eubanks. He became my mentor teacher at the University of West Florida when I began there in 1976. He was one of the few professors that cared for more than just the academic advancement of his charges. I enjoyed talking with someone who was such a nationally respected man in the field of speech and rhetoric. I am a teacher today through the influence of people like Dr. Eubanks, who were put in my life path. I will never forget him. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Sharon Root
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
It was such a pleasure to see Mr. and Mrs. Eubanks together in church on Sundays. They seemed to be an ideal couple to me and I wished that my life was more like theirs. My deep condolences to Mrs. Eubanks for her loss. Mr. Eubanks was such a nice man. What a blessing that they had so many years together.
Jannette Epes
Monday, August 6, 2007
Linda, it's been many years since I've seen you but I want you to know how sorry I am about your dad. I'm so thankful we grew up in Fayetteville because there will always be a sense of closeness in our friends. Please know I'm thinking of you and your family. With sympathy, Jannette (Rose) Epes
Marilyn Johnson Heifner
Monday, August 6, 2007
Linda and family My deepest sympathies to you at this time. I know you will remember the good times that you had together. All my best - Marilyn
David & Pamela Hallin
Monday, August 6, 2007
We think of Dr. Eubanks as a university professor, but there was another part to his life before those years. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1942 and was joined to VMF-124 at Guadalcanal. He was recommended and selected for officer candidate school and sent back to the states before the squadron ended that tour. Dr. Eubanks told me he had loaded 50 Caliber machine gun bullets in the F4U Corsairs flown by Kenny Walsh, four time ace [20 Japanese airplanes shot down], at Guadalcanal, 1943. Walsh, a Medal of Honor winner now interred in Arlington, visited Dr. Eubanks in Pensacola for an event at the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Instead of landing in Japan in an invasion force, as an infantry officer Ralph lead his company onto Japanese beaches as part of the occupation force following the surrender. Dr. Eubanks will be remembered at the VMF-124 reunion of World War II veterans September 26-30. Most of the World War II veterans have already passed on. Dr. Eubanks was a great leader and and a great friend whom we will miss. Pam and I extend our sincere condolences to Betty, Ralph Jr., Linda and the other members of his family. David Hallin University of Arkansas graduate Presbyterian Former CO, VMA-124
Nancy Brown
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Linda, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. Of course , you know that he's in a better place and no longer suffering. My thoughts and my prayers are with you and your family. God bless all of you, Nancy
James A. Robinson
Sunday, August 5, 2007
I mourn news of Ralph's death but am grateful for knowing such an admirable person. With respect, James A. Robinson
Mary Lloyd
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Dear Betty; I wanted to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Jim and I were proud to call Ralph our friend. He also played an important role in our daughter; Sherry's education. we speak of him often and he will be missed. In friendship and love,Mary
Robert and Susan Dunn
Friday, August 3, 2007
Mrs. Eubanks -- So sorry to learn of your loss. We were always so glad to have you and Mr. Eubanks as neighbors on Woodlore Circle -- and were tickled when you came to our housewarming party! Please know you are in our thoughts. The Robert Dunn Family
Ann Gray
Friday, August 3, 2007
Dear Linda and Family, So sorry to hear about your Dad. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. I will call you soon. My deepest sympathy. Ann
Mike Johnson
Friday, August 3, 2007
Mrs Eubanks and Family I am sadden to hear of Mr Ralps passing.I have thouhgt of you an him often over the past years.Remembering Mr Ralph teasing Amy & Tammy about wrestling with the Bull Dog.Mr Ralph was a great individual and I was honored to have known him.We will keep you and your family in our prayers. MIKE
sherry edwards hightower
Friday, August 3, 2007
Dr, Eubanks is truly the most interesting person I have ever known. I was fortunate to have had his guidance at UWF . He always had time to talk or to answer any questions I might have and he made me feel as an equal (which I certainly will never be)! My mother,Mary Lloyd, and I speak often of Dr. Eubanks and how much we both enjoyed listening to him share his vast knowledge of so many topics. He is truly a captivating speaker. I know that I not only speak for myself in saying that I am a much better person and owe my successes to the knowledge I received from Dr. Eubanks. I feel blessed to call him my friend and am deeply saddened to hear of his earthly departure. However, I am sure that he is leading the way of education above and that he is thrilled to be teaching once again and to be sharing his experiencs with a new classroom!!! To his loving family,whom he always spoke so proudly of, you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. I look forward to someday being able to join his class! With much respect and admiration, Sherry Edwards Hightower.
Dr. Dennis White
Thursday, August 2, 2007
I was a student of Dr. Eubanks as undergraduate at the University of Arkansas. He was one of the two or three finest teachers I ever had -- he changed my life. He led me to change my major and to eventually get my MA and Ph.D. and become a professor and college administrator. He was a conservative in the best sense of the word -- faith, country, family, and community meant everything to him. He never knew how much he influenced me, from my choice of careers to my choice of wife -- I married into his extended family, a Russell, whose father was born in Cecil, not far from where Dr. Eubanks was born. He was the examplar of Quintilian's definition of a great rhetor -- "A good man, speaking well." Ralph Eubanks was a great man. My prayers go to his family.
Dean & Judy DeBolt
Thursday, August 2, 2007
We were saddened to hear of Ralph's passing. Both Judy and I have many fond memories of work and conversations with Ralph at the Unversity of West Florida. He was always a pleasure to talk to and an outstanding influence on our students at the University. Betty, please accept our condolences. --Dean and Judy DeBolt, Pensacola
Dr. and Mrs. Richard G. Rea
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Dr. Eubanks was my major master’s degree professor and mentor beginning in 1959-60 while at the University of Arkansas. He is forever remembered as my guide in achieving goals I never dreamed I could achieve. I will forever miss his kindness to me and my family.
Florence (Lee) Stewart
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Mrs. Eubanks, I was saddened to hear of Dr. Eubanks' passing in the Pensacola News Journal this morning. He was a dear Christian man, and I am confident we will see him again! If you remember, I worked with Dr. Eubanks at UWF in the Comm Arts department, even after he retired and we still saw him every week in his emeritus position. I was helping him type his manuscript for his memoirs when you two moved back to Arkansas and I trust he finished the book. Knowing Dr. Eubanks, I feel sure that he did. My prayers are with you during your time of grief. I know you will miss him greatly after over 60 years of marriage. You two were best friends also, but just remember, he's in a better place, and we can go to where he is. Love and prayers to you, Florence Stewart
Bill Russell
Thursday, August 2, 2007
May God bless the Eubanks' family with His healing comfort. Dr. Eubanks was an incredible influence on me as a young student at the University of Arkansas. Brilliant, eloquent, dedicated, and engaged with life and all its challenges to the fullest. Wht a powerful legacy he has left for us.
Nancy Russ
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Dr. Eubanks was a real scholar and a great teacher. But to us he was a good friend. He was always interested in what our family members were doing. He was a great story teller, but he was also a good listerner. We will miss him.
Wes Bridges
Thursday, August 2, 2007
I always wondered about the origins of the phrase, "a gentleman and a scholar," until I met Dr. Eubanks. He was, indeed, a rare gentleman, a worthy role model both personally and professionally. Condolences to the family, who were blessed to have him for a long time. I will miss him.
Liz and Dave Fulton
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Dear Linda and Family, We were saddened to read of your father's death. Dave and I both have such fond memories of being in his speech class at U of A. Both made A and thought he was so inspiring. Then, of course, we bought and lived in the house he built on Markham Road. So, we felt a kindred spirit of a sort. Please know that we are thinking of you at this time. Linda, hope to see you at a reunion in the future. Liz (Vawter) and Dave Fulton
Jerry Maygarden
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Dr. Eubanks was a great advocate for students. He had a major impact on my academic and professional careers. He will be missed, but never forgotten by his Pensacola family. Jerry Maygarden, Former Mayor of Pensacola and 1974 Student of the Year in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida.
Anne Russ
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Dr. Eubanks was an absolute treasure! I am grateful to have had the chance to know him and for the encouragement he provided to me. I do hope that one day I can match his enthusiasm and his thirst for knowledge. He will be missed.