Ralph H. Tolbert Jr.

Ralph H. Tolbert Jr.

September 16, 1934 – November 2, 2025

Ralph Harmon Tolbert Jr., 91, of Hingham, Massachusetts, formerly of Centerville and Newton, died at home on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from pneumonia.

Ralph was born in Washington, Georgia, on September 16, 1934, to Margaret (Cone) and Ralph H. Tolbert Sr., a professor of agricultural education at the University of Georgia. He graduated from Athens High School, where he was a member of numerous scholastic groups, the golf team, and was Battalion Commander in the R.O.T.C. He briefly attended the University of Georgia before transferring to Georgia Tech, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Ralph then served for two and a half years at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, supervising the construction of family housing throughout the eastern United States. After retiring at the rank of Captain, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees. It was also at MIT that he met a stylish department of architecture assistant named Iris Moldaw. In 1962, Ralph and Iris were married in London, where he worked for a year at an architectural practice before the couple traveled together for several months through Europe.

After returning to Boston and practicing as an urban designer and architect for 15 years, Ralph began in 1980 to focus on the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings—a field that would define the remainder of his career. He worked on many significant landmarks during the final 20 years of his career, including the Massachusetts State House, Faneuil Hall, and the Old State House—all National Historic Landmarks and part of Boston’s historic Freedom Trail. He also oversaw major preservation and rehabilitation projects at several colleges and universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

He retired from active practice in 2000 as Principal and Director of Historic Preservation at Goody, Clancy & Associates in Boston.

After living in Newton, Massachusetts, for almost 35 years, where he and Iris raised their two children and Ralph restored two Victorian homes, the couple moved to Centerville, on Cape Cod. There, he enjoyed playing golf, gardening, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod and the Centerville Historical Society and Museum.

In 2015, Ralph and Iris relocated to a senior living community in Hingham, where he was active for a time with the photography club and the Art Council.

A true Southern gentleman, Ralph will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and quiet humor.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Iris, and their beloved cocker spaniel, Max. Ralph is survived by his two children, Jeffrey, of Hingham, and Elizabeth, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and grand dog Hopper.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Linden Ponds Home Support staff and the Norwell Visiting Nurses Association for their compassionate care.

A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at Linden Ponds Senior Living in the spring of 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph’s name to Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod or the BrightFocus Foundation.