Ralph Howard Greenberg

Ralph “Lucas” Greenberg, 73, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 8, 2025. He was born in New York City to Violet and Seymour Greenberg. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York and his PhD from the Ohio State University. He loved learning and teaching. He spent his career as a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Temple University in Philadelphia. He also taught abroad in China, Taiwan, Japan and Indonesia. He had many passions in life including but not limited to, family, art, literature and Master Gardeners. He was a devoted family man and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle. He was ‘Gpa’ to family and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Georgia Kenyon. He is survived by his wife Penelope Sue Greenberg from Huntsville, Arkansas, two brothers and their wives Charles and Charney Greenberg of New York and Mark and Marie Greenberg of New Jersey, two daughters Dawn Marshall from Iowa City, Iowa and Heather King-Sherry from Huntsville, Arkansas, 9 grandchildren, Michael Stanley, Katharine Stanley, David King Weeks, Sarah Smith,  Jonathan Kenyon, Frederica Kenyon, Amanda Sherry. Rebecca Sherry and Adrienne Sherry, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous in-laws, nephews, nieces, and friends. 

No services will be held at this time. Cremation is under the direction of  Madison County Funeral Services. 

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