Theodore Ralph Gregg

Theodore “Ted” Ralph Gregg went peacefully to be with the Lord on Jan. 14, 2016. He was born Theodore Ralph Zatkovitch on March 12, 1927, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father immigrated to the United States from Ruthenia, settling in Pittsburgh, and raised his family with strong values. Ted attended Catholic schools his whole life and served as an altar boy. Joining the Boy Scouts in 1936, he achieved the honor of Eagle Scout in 1943. Ted joined the Army in 1946 and was stationed at Fort Blanding, Florida, and held the rank of 1st sergeant in the 28th Division. Upon discharge, he attended the University of Pittsburgh, studying mechanical engineering. He was a long distance track champion, a member of the Phi Kappa fraternity, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Florence Marie “Flossie” Rudolph, on a blind date. He graduated from U of P in 1950 and was promptly drafted back into service with the Army due to the Korean conflict. As a master sergeant, he was both an artillery instructor and drill sergeant. It was there he developed his lifelong love of marching music, especially John Phillip Sousa. After completing his second stint in the Army, he married Flossie in Crafton, Pennsylvania, after waiting many years to do so. Within their first year, he took a new job, bought a new car, and a baby was on the way. In 1956, he was promoted to district manager of BIF Industries in Chicago where they bought their first home. It was here, that Ted was advised to change his last name to “something more American.” He took the first name of his father for his new last name, Gregg. He was later promoted to general sales manager in 1962, and moved the growing family to Rhode Island. In 1967, he took a position in Corvallis as vice president at Neptune Microfloc. His family thrived in the West. One final career change was the formation of EMA Marketing in 1972 where he was self-employed as a manufacturer's representative firm, which successfully operated for 33 years, creating job opportunities in both Corvallis and Philomath. Flossie and Ted moved their home and business to Philomath in 1980, where they started The Village Square on Main Street, which housed EMA, Connieʼs Country Cupboard, Concept Printing, and Flossiesʼ Candy Shop. Ted was actively involved in the Philomath community. He volunteered for Philomath 2000, was instrumental in getting the library built and had a mural created on the side of his building depicting the phrase, “Philomath, City of Volunteers.” Ted loved to cruise. He and Flossie sailed on over 50 of them. They loved to dance the jitterbug and were quite good at it. Fishing was his passion, especially in the Alsea and Siletz rivers. Family was paramount and his grandchildren his delight. Ted and Flo were faithful members of St. Maryʼs Catholic Church. They helped start and build the Vine and Branches Community at 53rd and Nash. One of their joys was gathering with their special group of life-long friends — The Ameners. Flossie preceded Ted in death 15 months prior. The Lord saw it fit to call him home on her birthday. We envision them dancing in heaven. He is survived by his sister, Connie Ash; four children, Connie McDonald (Tim), TR (Marcy), Michael (Jeanne) and Amy Bourgeois (Matt); eight beloved grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many other adopted grandkids and great-grandkids. A memorial service honoring Tedʼs life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at St. Maryʼs Catholic Church in Corvallis.

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Theodore Ralph Gregg

March 12, 1927 - January 14, 2016