Captain Ralph L. Pfau was born October 2, 1900, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas on June 3, 1924. He was appointed as Deck Officer on September 2, 1924, and commissioned an Ensign on October 23, 1925.

During his 32-year career, his ship assignments included: PIONEER; HILGARD and WAINWRIGHT as Commanding Officer; PARKER, BOWEN, STIRNI as Executive Officer; and PATHFINDER as Executive Officer. The remainder of his career was connected with Geodesy, either through field party work or headquarters assignments. At the time of his retirement on April 1, 1957, he was serving as Assistant Chief, Geodesy Division.

During World War II, Captain Pfau was transferred to the U.S Navy from January 1942 until February 1945. He was awarded the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Certificate of Service.

Captain Pfau has no immediate survivors.

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NOAA CORPS BULLETIN, 11/1/1989