Obituaries - Nov. 2, 1990

Ralph F. Clements Sr.; Retired Television Engineer

Ralph F. Clements Sr., retired West Coast field supervisor of technical operations for NBC-TV, has died at a North Hollywood hospital. He was 85.

A longtime resident of Van Nuys, Clements died Tuesday of natural causes, said his wife, Adelaide Clements.

Born June 15, 1905, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Clements started as a radio engineer at station KDKA in Pittsburgh in 1923. Six years later, he was hired as a newsreel soundman for Paramount News. In 1939, he went to work for NBC-TV as a television engineer, working on remote news and sports broadcasts. He came to California in 1940 and retired from NBC-TV in 1970 as West Coast field supervisor of technical operations.

He was a member of Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, the Society of Television Engineers, Lockheed Mining Council and several amateur radio groups.

Clements is survived by his wife of 59 years; a son, Ralph Clements Jr. of Studio City; two daughters, Christine R. Vantorne of Apple Valley, Calif., and Janet C. Ross of Reno, Nev.; a brother, John Clements of Pittsburgh; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Old North Church at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Hollywood Hills, with burial to follow. Forest Lawn Mortuary is handling the arrangements. Donations can be sent in Clements’ name to the St. Barnabas Senior Center, 675 S. Carondelet St., Los Angeles 90057.