By request, here's another link to the Westport Now write-up of Grandpa, and a copy of the write-up in PDF
Here's what the Westport News had to say: "In a town with a long list of luminaries over the years, Ralph Sheffer, who died Tuesday at the age of 93, shined more brightly than many." Plus an obituary published there.
Also, this appeared in the NY Times on 9/27:
SHEFFER--Ralph. We mark with sorrow the passing of our beloved uncle and brother-in-law. We will miss his warmth, kindness and sense of humor. We will miss him terribly. With our love and respect. Susan Malloy, Jennifer Malloy Combs, Timon Malloy and the entire Malloy Family
Published in the New York Times on 9/27/2006.
I believe there were two others in the Times, but they're not appearing in their web search.
Plus I found this nice piece from 2002 that Brian wrote for the Columbia paper, Two Coxswains, One Legacy
And a random quote: "The fact is that you are concentrating, and the adrenaline is running like mad at that moment when you are in combat. It’s exciting, and you just have to be so damned alert."
- Ralph Sheffer, Battleship North Carolina, Oral History