Date of death: 3/16/2025
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1957
Raphael (Ralph) Herrera, 94, beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Friend, was called to his eternal resting place on March 16, 2025.
He entered this world on October 25, 1930 in Albuquerque, NM, born to Antonio and Maria (Ortiz) Herrera. He had 11 brothers and sisters.
He attended grade school at University Heights School in Albuquerque, then went on to Jefferson Junior High in Albuquerque, and then attended high school at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Santa Fe. He attended college at the College of Santa Fe and then Saint Meinrad’s Seminary in Indiana, where he obtained a B.A. in Philosophy. He had graduate training in theology, also at Saint Meinrad’s Seminary.
Ralph had a long professional career spanning from 1957 to 2004. All through his career, he focused on serving and caring for the spiritual, physical, emotional, and material needs of others. Following retirement, he continued doing voluntary social work by visiting sick and elderly individuals residing in nursing homes and in homebound situations throughout Albuquerque. His social work touched the lives of countless individuals.
Ralph is survived by his ex-wife Lois Herrera of Albuquerque, daughter Monica (Herrera) and her husband Michael (Mike) Wussow of Mountain Home, Idaho, son Gerald (Gerry) and his wife Mary Dove (Zurn) Herrera of South Burlington, Vermont, daughter Erin Herrera of Albuquerque, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and brother Ronald (Ronnie) and his wife Lorainne Herrera of Covina, California.