MIDDLEBURY — Ralph Lee Noyes, 86, died on March 18, 2020, in his residence at EastView in Middlebury. He was born in Salisbury, Vt., on May 23, 1933, the son of the late Richard Guy and Pearl (Begor) Noyes. He attended elementary school in the Seeley District of Middlebury and in Salisbury village. He graduated Middlebury High School in 1950 and, in 1966, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland.
After high school he enlisted in the Air Force and served as a radio operator in Korea. In 1955, Ralph graduated from pilot training and received an officer’s commission. He served in the Far East, Europe and two separate tours as a flight instructor. He retired from the Air Force as a Major and Command Pilot in 1970. He then entered civil service with the Federal Aviation Administration in the field of aviation security. He served in Atlanta, Oklahoma City and at FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He retired in 1994, with a total of 43 years of federal service.
In 1958, he married Melinda Adams. They had two daughters, Mary Leanne and Kelly Lynn. They were divorced in 1986. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Twelves of Wilmington, Del., his two daughters, sons-in-law David Cagle and Shawn Moynihan, grandsons Adam Cagle, Jonathon and Jack Beighey, step-grandsons Matthew and Stephen Moynihan, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by nine older siblings and his foster brother, David Seeley.
Ralph was very interested in genealogy and traced his family’s ancestry back to fourteenth century England. A direct ancestor landed in the American colonies in 1634, and a descendant arrived in Salisbury in 1794. The Noyes family descended on two different maternal lines from the Mayflower.
Continuing his interest in aviation, Ralph was a life member of the Air Force Association, the Retired Officers Association and the F-86 Sabre Pilots Association. In addition, he was an avid crossword solver.
Throughout his military and civilian career, he had many opportunities to travel. He continued traveling for pleasure in retirement and stated that he had visited over eighty foreign countries on five continents.
Ralph was baptized in the Salisbury Congregational Church in April 1934, and was a member of that congregation when he died. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Endowment Fund at EastView at Middlebury or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home.
Online condolences at sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊