Ralph Henry Burdett

A stalwart pillar of strength and service, Ralph Henry Burdett was born in Luton, England on September 1, 1946. When he was 2 years old, his family moved to Canada for a year, before immigrating to America, where, in New Jersey, he was raised by his loving parents, Rita Burdett Bertish (1916-1975) and Manuel Burdett (1917-1961). At 15, on the second night of Pesach, his father passed away suddenly, and Ralph and his mother moved back to England for a short time, before returning to New Jersey, where Ralph graduated from East Orange High School in 1964. With a love of country and during the heat of battle in February 1967, Ralph volunteered to serve for the US Army during the war in Vietnam. He honorably served in the 101st Airborne’s 325th elite infantry unit, famously known as the “Screaming Eagles,” until being awarded his second Purple Heart and having to return home with life-altering injuries towards the end of 1968. In 1977, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Truman State University. He worked as a phlebotomist, paramedic, and ambulance driver; and upon arriving at a fatal scene, where a mother and child were killed by a drunk driver, he decided to enter law enforcement to prevent such tragedies. He became a police officer, serving with honor and purpose, before proceeding to become the Head of Security for several major hospital systems, including Houston Methodist, Baylor Waco, and the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD), which encompassed Ben Taub, LBJ, and all HCHD health clinics and parking facilities. In 2012, Ralph fell in love with Linda Friedman Pravda, and they married in 2014. Ralph was happy to have a family again. He was a loving husband to Linda, devoted son-in-law to Susanna Friedman (1924-2013) and Ben Friedman (1924-2014), reliable step-father to Wendy Pravda (Eric Schnitzer) and Bryan Pravda (Stephanie Barr), caring brother-in-law to Janet Friedman and Dr. Alice Friedman, committed step-grandfather to Sadie and Eve Rosen and Sydney Schnitzer, and also a compassionate brother-in-law who honored the memory of Michael Friedman (1954-1992). After Ralph retired as the Administrative Director for HCHD in 2014, he continued to help ensure safety for others, volunteering to serve on multiple security committees in the Houston community, and he was active in several religious and political organizations, supporting America and Israel, and working to ensure that this world would be better and safer for others before he departed from it- on October 4, 2025. Ralph left this earth after 79 years of sacrifice and service. He was a humble hero- a patriot, a protector, and preserver of peace. With politeness and respect, a calm demeanor, and a disposition that personified integrity, he embodied the most noble characteristics of a gentleman and a serviceman. He believed in justice and embodied honor, valor, and courage, which were veiled by his humility and balanced with a softness of sincere care and compassion. He loved pets, and his favorite dog breed was Newfoundland, notorious for water rescues and saving lives. Ralph had a clever wit, a subtle humor, and sympathy for everyone he encountered. He was guided by a purity of purpose- helping others. A funeral service took place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 2:30 pm in the Sophia and Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055. The service will also be livestreamed at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Ralph’s memory and comfort his family by making a donation to the Hebrew Order of David (www.hodnorthamerica.org), Jewish War Veterans (www.jwv574houston.org), Aishel House (www.aishelhouse.org), MD Anderson (www.mdanderson.org), Congregation Beth Yeshurun (www.bethyeshurun.org), or a suitable charity of your choice.

Ralph Henry Burdett

September 1, 1946 - October 4, 2025