Ralph L. Kolodny

Ralph L. Kolodny, professor emeritus of Boston University School of Social Work, died at Norwood Hospital on October 18, 2011. Born and raised in Fall River, MA. He graduated from Durfee High School, Brown University, Columbia University (MA in Sociology) and Boston University (MSS in Social Work). He was a veteran of World War 2, serving in the Pacific. He was a member of the Z.O. A. and Temple Beth El in Quincy, and  an author of over 50 articles in Social Work Journals, many of which have been translated and appeared in foreign journals. He worked as a Director of Department of Neighborhood  clubs of Boston Childrens’ Services Association for many years, and taught social work at Boston College and Boston University. He established the School of Social Work at Ben Gurion University in Israel. He attended Hebrew College in Brookline for many years, becoming fluent in Hebrew, and was an ardent student of the language.

He leaves his wife, Vivian (Orodenker) Kolodny;  his children, Dr. Jonathan Kolodny of Dedham and Miriam Kolodny Ben Nun of Tel Aviv, Israel; his grandchildren, Aaron, Nathan, Lauren Kolodny and Sam Ben Nun; his brother Bently G. Kolodny of Ny.

Services at Temple Beth David, 7 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood on Friday, October 21 at 1:00 pm. Following the interment at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon  memorial observance will be at the home of Dr. Jonathan Kolodny in Dedham through 8 pm and memorial observance will continue on Sunday at his late residence in Quincy, 2-4, 6-8 pm. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.