Author Topic: We lost another warrior, Ralph Wenzel (Read 3707 times)

Will Hinton · « **on:** January 03, 2010, 07:11:49 PM »

It becomes my sad duty to let all know of our great friend, Ralph Wenzel's departure from this world. Sharon emailed me today that Ralph passed away peacefully Christmas morning.
I am greatly saddened by this and will miss the good friend I had but never met face to face. Ralph and Sharon proofread both of my books and did such a wonderfully thorough job that my publisher didn't even bother to check it out on the second one!
Ralph and I also exchange a lot of musicly oriented emails over the last couple of years and even though I never made it to the Texas vacation we discussed and their hospitality, I shall miss him as will the entire modeling community.
Rest in peace my friend, rest in peace.

Will

Larry Fulwider · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:28:33 PM »

Oh my! I had not met Ralph personally either, although we did trade a lot of e-mails, some of a more private / personal nature -- including comments about our wives and families. I felt like I knew him personally, anyway.

I wonder if you could send me Sharon's e-mail address off-line? Thanks

Larry Fulwider

John Witt · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2010, 08:28:16 PM »

We'll surely miss Ralph. He made up my first sets of lines when I started back in U/C this last year. A good man.

John W

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2010, 08:42:38 PM »

I never met Ralph, personally, but feel like I knew him.
We shared e-mails on a variety of subjects and even shared the same birthday!
Was hoping to meet him, possibly here in Florida, to watch a Shuttle Launch.
Rest in peace my friend.
Roger Vizioli

John Castle · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2010, 10:51:50 PM »

Sad news indeed, I did some trades with
Ralph and he went out of his way to make sure I was on the right path as a beginner.

Godspeed Ralph

Richard Grogan · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2010, 11:11:09 PM »

What a shock. Truly a gentleman of gentlemen..I have met him on several occasions, and everything said here couldn't be more acurate. Here's a pix of Sharon and him, from the 1st Ringmaster Roundup. They ran clocks and counters for the racing event.The other picture is Richard Stubblefield,Joe Gilbert, Ralph and Sharon getting ready for a race.

Godspeed old friend.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2010, 11:37:44 PM »

This is very sad news. I had only met Ralph through the forum and he was a really good guy. My prayers for Raplh's family...

Glen Wearden · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2010, 06:06:14 AM »

Very sad news. I had the honor of meeting them at the first roundup. A great couple. My prayers for Ralph, Sharon and their family.

Glen Wearden

Joe Gilbert · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2010, 06:43:22 AM »

A great guy he and his wife were kind, genteel people.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2010, 06:59:53 AM »

Although I never met Ralph, I have corresponded with him. Out prayers go out to Ralph and Sharon.

Chuck Feldman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2010, 07:57:26 AM »

I feel that the passing of Ralph Wenzel will be felt through out the hobby/sport we enjoy. I am saddened that this loyal friend has passed on. Ralph helped me many times with questions I had about our sport. I recall that he and his wife had to leave there home in League City when the hurricane struck Galveston. He was so relieved when he returned to find his home in tact. When I wrote to Ralph we usually stayed in touch for a week or two then we would contact one another when something came up. I never met him but he was a good friend. Knowledgeable and always willing to help. I will miss him.

Chuck

John Stiles · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2010, 08:12:01 AM »

".........and they shall mount up on wings as of eagles........" Rest in the Lord Ralph!

Ronald Borski · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2010, 08:22:09 AM »

Thoughts and prayers out to Ralph, his family and friends.

Ralph reached out to me offering assistance with my new return to cl. Truly a person with a big heart and a passion for life.

George · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2010, 09:14:36 AM »

My thoughts and prayers also go out to Ralph and Sharon.

Isn't it interesting how many we meet on-line but never face to face, yet we feel we know them personally because of our common interests. What a big family we have. We are fortunate.

George

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2010, 10:28:59 AM »

The name sounds familiar, we may have met some where in the past, I can't remember. Do remember seeing his name several places. It is sad when a madeler has gone on for those of us left behind, but think of the day when we will get to see all of them again.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2010, 11:14:49 AM »

As I re-read the tributes to Ralph, I have one thought -

He may have been taken from us, but the friendships and fond memories he leaves behind can never be taken from us.
Thank you Ralph!
Roger v.

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2010, 11:36:26 AM »

Really a shock. Ralph had called me before Christmas to discuss retiring in the Austin area.

Rob Killick · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2010, 01:11:37 PM »

Oh no ...

What a shock and a true loss .

Ralph befriended me , over numerous phone calls and through this site , many many times ...

My prayers go out to family and friends .

A fond farewell , Ralph ,

Rob Killick

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2010, 01:44:50 PM »

I only knew of him here on the forum. He sure seemed like a real nice guy and he even had a sense of humor.

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=15371.msg139636#msg139636

One thing that always comes to mind when we lose someone. God's timing is perfect. God is never late, or never early for anything.
It was Ralph's time to be called home.

My condolences to the Wenzel family.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:42:03 PM »

I am very very sorry to read this...like most others, I knew Ralph only through the forums, PMs, emails, etc. Did a fair amount of business with him too, always found him very congenial and more than fair in all our dealings. A class act. He will be missed.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:42:40 PM »

What a shock that is. I've corresponded with Ralph through emails, since we were building ships that had similar setups (PA 40UL, and foam wing in same airplane). I guess we won't see what difference we take in our setups.

I can't really think of anything else to say, except that that is a shock.

John Hammonds · « **Reply #21 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:38:17 PM »

I can only say I am stunned by this very sad news and echo the comments already made by others. Although never meeting face to face we corresponded via Email when I first got back into CL and he was always extremely helpful, polite and came across as both a perfect gentleman and a passionate modeller. I bought the Oriental kit from him which he graciously donated to the SH cause when Sparky was asking for donations a year or so ago. He sorted all the shipping costs etc to the UK and nothing seemed too much trouble. A truly nice person and a very sad loss to the community.

My prayers are with his family at this sad time.

John.

pat king · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2010, 07:00:51 PM »

This is truely sad news. I never met Ralph, but did have communication with him on the web. Someone please give my condolences to his family.

Pat

Greg Howie · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2010, 03:02:50 AM »

Wow , I had the impression he was much younger for some reason. I too only knew him on line . He always posted kind words and encouraged new comers . He sent me an email of article he scanned that he believed I would like. Just out of the blue ! I was blown away and really enjoyed it. In responce to a post I made about how much fun the kids were having with this model. His posts and enthusiasm will be missed . I am at a loss .I too feel like I knew him with the emails we exchanged. oh no this if awefull .

Gods Speed Ralph

Shultzie · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2010, 04:02:12 PM »

I would like to thank Jeff Wellivter for giving some insight about Ralph and Sharon Wenzel...and the great times they shared the hospitality of The Wenzel's on the annual VSC trips.

Again...I would love to hear more information about these two very good friends of our control line modeling hobby-sport and hopefully this year at VSC a few moments could be shared about our beloved brothers and sisters that have passed this last 2009 year.

Let's keep them in our thoughts and prayers and thanks be to our God...for sharing them with us during our life sentence here on Earth.

Attached are a couple select photos...from Jeff.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #25 on:** January 06, 2010, 08:51:33 AM »

Isn't it time this great idividual be put on the "Stunt Grunt" forum? "Be nice to see more pictures of his endeavers.

barenekd · « **Reply #26 on:** January 07, 2010, 10:12:25 AM »

I was fortunate to have Ralph as a real pal in the '80s when he lived in SoCal. He was a member of the Flying Tigers MAC which was a Northrop club in those days. He participated in most of our monthly contests and was always around to enjoy flying with.
He and Sharon shared many dinners with my (then) wife and me at various restaurants, their favorites being Japanese.
We've kept in touch over the years with emails and have cosaaionally run into each other at VSCs and other venues.
He was a great friend and I will miss him.
Bare