The Executive Director of the US Chess Federation, Bill Hall, asked Ralph to submit a request to a specific person at the Boy Scouts of America for them to start a Chess Merit Badge. Bill Hall told Ralph that the application must emphasize the educational benefits of chess.
Ralph contacted that person and submitted the request in March, 2009. On May 15, 2009, the last day of Ralph's teaching for 36 years, he received a phone call from the contact person at the Boy Scouts announcing that his request had been approved.
A committee was formed primarily of scout persons with Ralph serving as the chairperson and the creation of the Chess Merit Badge booklet began.
In June 2011 the Chess Merit Badge was completed.
In September 2011 the Chess Merit Badge had it's official kickoff at the Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri.