Ralph E. Lockett, 82, a longtime Chicago-area intercom-system installer who became an award-winning ballroom dancer and patented his own dance step, died Saturday, Oct. 14, in a nursing home in Keller, Texas. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, and served in the Army Air Forces in World War II in China and India, coordinating USO shows and operating a 50-watt Armed Forces radio station. After graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in business administration in 1946, Mr. Lockett began working for Executone of Chicago as an intercom installer. While living in Mt. Prospect, he developed an interest in ballroom dancing after taking lessons at the Des Plaines Park District. He continued dancing until he was 75, winning several ballroom dance competition awards while living in Florida. He patenting his own dance step, “Ralph’s Waltz No. 2,” in 1990. “He was proud of his dancing, as proud as a peacock,” said his daughter Denise Chudzik. Mr. Lockett is survived by another daughter, Donna Flagler, and three grandchildren. A memorial service was held Tuesday in Coppell, Texas.
