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STAMFORD, Conn. - Ralph M. Bahna of Stamford died Monday, Feb. 24. He was 71.
Bahna was born Aug. 23, 1942, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of Ralph and Frieda Mushro Bahna. He was the founder and longtime chairman of the Club Quarters business hotel chain. He was a founding investor and the longtime chairman of Priceline.com. He was the CEO of Cunard Lines, USA; and later chairman for almost a decade of Cunard Lines, Ltd.; and a senior marketing executive with Trans World Airlines. In the field of health, he supported Columbia New York Presbyterian’s atrial fibrillation research and served on its heart steering committee. He was involved in developing the Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness at Stamford Hospital. In the field of education, he worked with the dean at the University of California at Berkeley to develop the “Innovative Leader” curriculum of the Haas School of Business. He was also a supporter of the University of Michigan wrestling program.
Bahna is survived by his wife, Dorothy Ballard Bahna; daughters, Laura Lovejoy (William) of Larchmont, N.Y., Deborah Chrabolowski (John) of Wilton; son, Adam Bahna (Amy) of Darien; sister, Joanne Deeb of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents. Calling hours are Monday, March 3 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. in St. Cecilia’s Church, 1184 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT 06905. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bahna Fund for Electrophysiology/New York- Presbyterian Fund, Inc. c/o Adele Conner, Office of Development, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 654 West 170th St., NY, NY 10032.
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