Ralph F. Moriarty, 92; helped create Main Line Health

Ralph F. Moriarty, 92, of Gladwyne, an executive who envisioned a merger of Main Line hospitals into a single health-care system and brought his vision to life, died Wednesday, April 10, at Lankenau Medical Center of complications from a stroke.

Mr. Moriarty ended his days in the hospital where he had served as president and a member of the board of trustees from 1970 until retiring in 1988.

During that time, he had the foresight to see that with the changing economic climate, the Main Line's hospitals would fare better if they banded together for efficiency, said his son Frank C.

Acting on that instinct in January 1985, Mr. Moriarty guided the creation and development of Main Line Health, which has grown to be one of the largest employers in the Philadelphia area. He spent three years as the system's founding president.

"Ralph led a legacy of excellence as the CEO of Main Line Health, and I am honored to follow in his footsteps," said Jack Lynch, the system's president and chief executive officer. "As a true visionary, he was ahead of his time when he realized that as health care evolved in our country, hospitals would benefit from the strength of a health system."

The network began with Bryn Mawr and Paoli Hospitals and Lankenau Medical Center. It now includes Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital; Riddle Hospital; Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol addiction; the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a research center; and the Home Care Network, which provides nursing and hospice services.

Lankenau president Phil Robinson said Mr. Moriarty laid the foundation for that institution's "commitment to superior patient care throughout his tenure as president."

Frank McGeehin, section chief of clinical cardiology for Main Line Health, said Mr. Moriarty was a pioneer in bringing the discipline of business practices to health care.

"He provided the financial stewardship that allowed Lankenau Hospital's clinical programs to blossom and remain at the forefront of care. His genuine leadership has made an indelible impact on all of us who have had the honor of working by his side," Dr. McGeehin said.

Mr. Moriarty took a circuitous route to the Main Line. The son of Marie and Floranz Moriarty, a railroad engineer, he was raised in Spokane, Wash. He attended Washington State University, majoring in business administration.

He also enrolled in the Advanced Army Officer Reserve Program. Upon graduation he was assigned to the Army Adjutant General School in Washington as a commissioned officer. Later, he was sent to New Orleans, where he served through the remainder of World War II as adjutant of the Army Air Base there, retiring at the rank of captain in the late 1940s.

He received an honorary doctor of science degree from Thomas Jefferson University in 1985.

After the war, Mr. Moriarty honed his business skills with a series of management jobs. He started in the marketing department of the Memphis Commercial Appeal and Press-Scimitar, and held marketing and executive positions with General Foods Corp., Ovaltine Food Products, and Conwood Corp., before moving to Philadelphia in 1967 as president of Abbotts Dairies.

From there, he jumped to the head executive position at Lankenau in 1970.

"He wasn't sure about taking that position, but they were interested in having a business mind for that job, and it ended up working out rather well," his son said.

He was on the boards of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Central Penn National Bank, Meridian Asset Managing Co., and Delaware Valley Hospital Council. He also served as a member of the board of trustees of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.

While living on the Main Line, his memberships included the Union League, Philadelphia Country Club, Bachelors Barge Club, and Merion Cricket Club. He held many elective positions at these clubs.

Mr. Moriarty met his wife, Joyce Elizabeth Spalding, in Memphis after World War II, when she was working at Union-Planters National Bank. He was struck by her beauty when he visited the bank, and he asked her out. They were wed in 1950 and last year celebrated their 62d anniversary.

They became world travelers, favoring cruise ships after their first sailing adventure to Hawaii in the 1960s.

"All told, they spent literally hundreds of days sailing from one exotic port to another. They were not afraid to venture into locations off the typical tourist path, from tiny towns in Russia to villages in the Middle East," his son said.

They lived in Wynnewood and Gladwyne until 1988, when they retired to Skidaway Island outside Savannah, Ga. They returned to the Philadelphia area in 2000 to live at Waverly Heights, a retirement community in Gladwyne.

While down South, he volunteered much of his time to the Mediation Board of Savannah handling business and labor arbitration cases. More recently, he did volunteer work at Lankenau and for the Waverly Heights community.

Mr. Moriarty loved golf, and was an avid reader and close follower of world events.

He was caring, a great listener, supportive, thoughtful, analytical, and insightful, his son said.

Surviving, in addition to his wife and son, are another son, Gordon Ralph; two granddaughters; and a brother.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, in the chapel at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Ave. Interment will be private.

Donations may be made to Lankenau Master Facility Project, c/o Brittany Thompson, Lancaster Medical Center Foundation, 100 E. Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, Pa. 19096.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.stuardfuneralhome.com.