Ralph Ettlinger, an inventor and co-developer of a health care program that serves the elderly in their homes, died of cancer Wednesday at the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis.
A native of Kansas City, Mo., the 75-year-old graduated from Northwestern University. He served as an officer in the Navy in World War II.
He was a longtime resident of Highland Park and Glencoe in Illinois before retiring to Heritage Harbour in Annapolis eight years ago.
Mr. Ettlinger had 18 patents in the food-service industry, including one for a plastic dish washing rack. More recently, he was co-founder and president of the Heritage Harbour Health Group, the health care program that aids members, all residents of Heritage Harbor, when they become ill.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Margery; a daughter, Betsy Chotin, of Washington; a son, Steve, of Manhattan; two brothers, Edward and Richard, both of Highland Park, and three grandchildren.
There were private services for the family and plans for a memorial service were incomplete yesterday.
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