Ralph A. Nattans, a Baltimore native whose family owned the old Read's drugstore chain, died Sunday of heart failure while visiting family members in Burke, Va. The Boynton Beach, Fla., resident was 87.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Reservoir Hill, he attended the New York Military Academy at Cornwall-on-Hudson before earning a degree at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a law degree from the University of Baltimore.

He was a relative of Arthur R. Nattans, a former president of the old Read Drug and Chemical Co., whose stores were located throughout Baltimore before their sale in 1976 to Rite Aid Corp.

During World War II, Mr. Nattans served in the Army in Panama and in Italy, attaining the rank of captain. He subsequently moved to Philadelphia and became a stockbroker.

A memorial service will be held at noon tomorrow at his temple, Congregation Rodeph Shalom Suburban in Elkins Park, Pa.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, the former Rose Betty Wolf; a son, Ralph Arthur Nattans III of Jamison, Pa.; two daughters, Diane Aline Griffiths and Sally Anne Kline, both of Burke, Va.; and five grandchildren.