Larry Katz from New York Ultrarunning writes:

Ralph Balsamo 11/17/46 to 1/30/06

We are very sad to report the passing of ultra runner and dear friend, Ralph Balsamo. Ralph died on Monday, January 30 in the late afternoon at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, NJ. At his side was his long-time love and partner, Betty Marolla. Fellow BUS Member, Bill Fischer was also there for support. The cause of death is unknown, but Ralph have been suffering from acute Alzheimer's Disease for the past five years. But both Betty and Bill said that Ralph died in peace, ending his long battle with that horrible disease. He was 59. No wake will be scheduled, and Ralph will be cremated. His wish was for ashes to be spread along the Palisades. A memorial service will be held later this year.

Ralph have been running ultras since 1979, and completed nearly 100 ultra events. He was a top-flight competitor at all ultra distances. In 1991, he finished in 2nd Place in both the Bear 70-Kilometer and the Knickerbocker 60-Kilometer events. He also once ran 9:22 for 70 miles. Some of his other ultra accomplishes was winning the National 100-Kilometer Age Group Championship in 1993 and completing the grueling Western States 100-Mile Trail Run. Even when Ralph was riddled with Alzheimer's, he demonstrated incredible grit by completing 83 miles at the Ted Corbitt 24-Hour in 2003, and over 44 miles at the Joe Kleinerman 12-Hour in 2004. Ironically, Ted and Joe was two of Ralph's heroes.

But more important than his running performances, Ralph was great friend to all of us. He was one of the nicest and sincerest people that blessed our sport. He will be more than missed, but his kindness will always be remembered. God bless him forever.

Larry Katz
New York Ultrarunning.org