Dr. Ralph E. Shuping

Dr. Ralph E. Shuping passed away on August 13, 2022, at Novant Hospital In Salisbury. He was transported to the hospital on August 11 from Trinity Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Salisbury, where he was living. Dr. Shuping held a doctor of science degree in radiological health sciences and a master’s degree in medical physics from the Harvard School of Public Health, a master’s degree in physics from Emory University, and a bachelor’s in physics from Catawba College. Dr. Shuping joined the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps in 1961 in Rockville, MD, where he first worked on X-Ray exposure control. In 1963-65 he was assigned to the University of Texas, Austin, where he helped establish a radiation safety program. He then moved to the Southeastern Radiological Health Laboratory (SERHL) in Montgomery, Al., where he was responsible for evaluating environmental samples to detect radiation hazards. He participated in the Apollo 13 moon launches as a member of the SERHL off-site monitoring team. The US Secretary of State assigned him to the Pan American Health Organization to travel to Chile, Uruguay, and Ecuador to help establish radiation safety programs and protocols in those countries. After 30 years in the PHS Commissioned Corp, Dr, Shuping continued at FDA as a civil servant until his retirement in 2006. He was certified in 1990 as an expert on safety and effectiveness of radiological devices such as CT, MRI, and brachytherapy devices, which means his decisions were final. He published numerous articles for government distribution and articles in scientific journals. Among his numerous awards from the PHS and FDA were FDA special recognition for “sustained excellent Performance in the Regulation of Radiation Therapy Devices. He received an award for his work in the PHS response to the Three Mile Island nuclear emergency in 1978. He was a Fellow of the American Society of Physicists in Medicine and former president his local chapter. He was active in international standardization activities and participated in the International Electrotechnical Commission scientific committee 62-C, and liaison to the IEC 62B-WG21 that developed MR safety standard IEC-601-2-33. He also worked with US safety standards committees on therapy, diagnostic imaging, magnetic resonance, Dr. Shuping was born in Salisbury on April 7, 1936, to the late Velna Young Shuping and Henry Locke Shuping. He leaves his wife Frances, two sons, Alan Shuping of Salisbury, Eric Shuping, MD, MPH, daughter-in-law Heather, grandson Dietrich and granddaughter Daniela of Rockville, MD, a brother Charles H. Shuping, a sister Sandra Owen of Salisbury, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His brothers Dwight and Jimmy pre-deceased him. From 1974-2008. Dr. Shuping lived with his family in Bethesda, MD where he enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, eating seafood, and touring DC museums, and taking in events at the Kennedy Center. In 2008 he moved to Salisbury, NC, where he enjoyed a rural setting and planted and raised blueberries, figs, and grapes. He also consulted with medical device firms in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands on processes for submitting medical devices. There will be a small graveside service on Friday, August 19, at 1:00 pm at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery next to the church on Ridge Road in Salisbury. We would like to thank the providers at Novant Rowan Memorial Hospital for their kindness and most dedicated care during his recent brief stay and during mostly six weeks hospitalization beginning last May. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations in his name be sent to the Bethel Lutheran Church cemetery fund, 355 E. Ridge Road, Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Shuping family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Dr. Ralph E. Shuping

April 7, 1936 - August 13, 2022