Supermarket chain executive. Albert Ralphs was the only son of George A. Ralphs, founder of the Los Angeles-based Ralphs Grocery Company, one of the nation’s oldest and largest grocery chains. George Ralphs died in 1914, leaving financial control of the business to 17-year-old Albert. After Albert returned from military service in France during World War I, he joined his uncle and two cousins in the management of the grocery store business. In 1928, Ralphs introduced a self-service supermarket, and revolutionized how people shopped for groceries. Until the late 1940s, Albert Ralphs, his uncle and his two cousins alternated as president of the company. Today, Ralphs has more than 250 supermarkets, primarily in the Southern California area. The company merged with the Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger Company in 1999. (bio by: Mark Masek)  Family links:  Parents:  George Albert Ralphs (1850 – 1914)  Wallula Ralphs (1876 – 1941)  Siblings:  William W Ralphs (1875 – 1876)**  Minnie Elizabeth Ralphs White (1879 – 1942)**  Walter Ralphs (1880 – 1880)**  Albert George Ralphs (1897 – 1973) *Calculated relationship**Half-sibling