Ralph E. Glaser, Jr. and the Importance of Legacy Giving

Ralph E. Glaser, Jr. was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After graduating from high school, Ralph worked at Rike's Department Store in its interior design department, and it was there that he first realized his life-long passion for residential and commercial interior design.

After serving in the Army during the Korean conflict, he returned home and attended the University of Dayton. He then continued his education at Ringling School of Art, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design in 1958.

"Ringling was a very small school back then," Ralph said. "I don't remember the actual number of buildings on campus, but my best recollection is maybe two or three, four at most. The graduating Class of 1958 was composed of 20 students across all the disciplines. We had only one instructor in our department, Bern Bullard, who taught the entire curriculum and supervised our development as young professionals. He was an absolute asset to the College and inspired me to pursue interior design as a career," he said.

The significance of his time at Ringling College is reflected in Ralph's decision to make a legacy gift. "I was the first person in my family to attend college. Thanks to the GI bill, I was able to go to Ringling and earn my degree. My partner of 42 years, John Pfeifer, and I wanted to make that experience a reality for other young people with similar financial needs. John received a fellowship to Northwestern University, and is making a contribution to his alma mater, as well," Ralph explained.

Ralph is quick to credit Ringling College for changing his life and helping him get his first design job. "Waldo Perez, the head of Burdines' interior design department in Miami came to Ringling several times a year to critique our work. Waldo offered me an internship as a junior designer in 1957. When I graduated, he hired me to design full-time and things took off from there."

Ralph worked at Burdines for seven years, and then, in 1969, moved to Vero Beach where he owned and operated Vero Beach Interiors, Inc., for more than 50 years. He earned an esteemed reputation for his classic designs, use of high-end fabrics, and ability to incorporate antiques, quality furniture, and upholstery into his work.

"While I enjoyed every minute of my career, the projects that are most memorable are the ones that required attention to historical perspectives and details. Early in my career, I had the honor to work on the restoration of Vizcaya, a well-known Italian Renaissance mansion in Miami. Similarly, my last project was the restoration of Westglow, a 1917 Colonial Revival mansion in Blowing Rock, NC. Both projects are now spaces enjoyed by the public: Vizcaya is a museum, and Westglow is a Relais & Châteaux resort and spa."

"I enjoyed a successful and fulfilling design career and I know I have Ringling College to thank for my start," Ralph said. "My hope for my legacy gift is that it will allow other talented, young creatives the same opportunities."