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Ralph Eric Kempcke passed away peacefully at Penrose-St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs on March 10, 2013 at the age of 84. Ralph was born on August 29, 1928 in Chicago. He attended Lakeview High School in Chicago and Bradley University. After graduating from Bradley, he served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He remained a member of the Naval Reserves for many years. He met Shirley Kinney at Grinnell College and they were married in 1953. They made their home in Lombard, Illinois where they raised their three sons. Ralph worked for Bell Telephone and retired in 1987. Ralph and Shirley moved to Colorado Springs in 1989. Ralph volunteered many hours of service at the Olympic Training Center. He also participated as an athlete in many senior Olympic events around the country and ran eight marathons. In 2002 Ralph was an Olympic Torch bearer as the torch traveled through Colorado Springs. He served on the Colorado Springs Committee for International Visitors and enjoyed meeting and hosting people from around the world. The family invites Ralph's friends for a Celebration of Life from 3 to 5 pm at the PEO Chapter House at 1819 Cheyenne Road on Thursday, March 14. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made, in his honor, to the Alzheimer's Association or through support of an Alzheimer's fund raising event. The family wishes to thank Emeritus and Pikes Peak Hospice for their excellent care and support.
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2 Entries
We just learned of Ralph's passing and we are so sorry for your loss. Ralph was a wonderful, dedicated volunteer for the U.S. Olympic Committee for many years and we will remember him fondly. Erica Hutchinson
Erica Hutchinson
March 15, 2013
Shirley, my mother (Shirley) and I were saddened to hear about Ralph. He was such a sweet man and always had a smile on his face. You were so good to him and he was very lucky he had such a caring wife. You could stop by Emeritus someday to see the photo of Ralph that I put in a shadow box I made for them. If you need anything at all, I'm a phone call away.
Cheryl Delgado
March 14, 2013
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