Ralph W. Pritchard :::
Ralph W. Pritchard
Graduated in 1937
Inducted in 1998
Valedictorian and 1937 graduate of LTHS Ralph W. Pritchard was internationally known in the real estate business with a career spanning more than forty years. He served as past president of the LaGrange Board of Realtors, the Illinois Association of Realtors, the National Association or Realtors, the International Association of Realtors, and the International Real Estate Federation. Pritchard started his career in real estate as a sales associate with Thorsen Realty in 1949. He was appointed Thorsen President in 1966 and subsequently became chairman of Coldwell Banker-Thorsen Realtors, handling annual sales of more than one hundred million. In 1974, he was selected the Realtor of the Year. Pritchard lobbied the federal government to cut spending and balance the budget with a plan he called "The 2% Solution." He promoted the idea of cutting the government's outlay by 2 percent to reduce inflation and help people trying to buy housing. He appeared on numerous talk shows and spoke at seminars around the world advocating his 2% solution. A lifelong resident of LaGrange, he served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church, YMCA Board of Directors, Chairman of the Boys Work Committee, Director of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, and charter member of the LaGrange Area Historical Society.