Rev. Ralph T. Butler, 70, of Avalon Park, a Chicago minister whose interest in space travel led him to start a Chicago chapter of the Young Astronauts Council, died Wednesday, June 11, of hypotension at Kindred Chicago Lakeshore. Rev. Butler ministered at several Chicago churches, most recently at Ambassadors for Christ Church. “He was a people person and a community person,” said Hazel, his wife of 17 years. Rev. Butler was fascinated with space travel and in 1997 started the Young Astronauts Council chapter in Chicago. Rev. Butler, a skilled carpenter, enjoyed teaching young men the craft, said Milton Oliver, pastor of Ambassadors for Christ Church, who described his colleague as “just a kind person.” Rev. Butler graduated from Englewood High School in 1952, where he played football. Besides his wife, survivors include three sons; Phaon, Theodore and Daryl; and a daughter, Sharee. Services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Ambassadors for Christ Church, 531 W. 103rd St., Chicago.
