Obituary: Ralph James Weiger

Ralph James Weiger

Ralph James Weiger

Ralph James Weiger passed away on Dec. 1, 2015 in Sonoma, California at the age of 90. He will be remembered as a cherished and very much loved father and grandfather, husband, philanthropist and businessman.

He was born in Hammond, Indiana on Jan. 21, 1925 to his parents, Oscar and Mabel Weiger. He was truly a self-made man, one of the "Greatest Generation", as he made the most of his life which started with very simple roots. A proud highlight at the age of 89 was receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Purdue University with his family in attendance. He loved being called Dr. Weiger.

Ralph served his country by joining the U.S. Navy Air Corp, serving as a pilot in WWII. When the war ended, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and received an athletic scholarship to Purdue University to study electrical engineering and play varsity football and basketball.

After graduating in 1949, his first job was with Square D Company where he rose to be a regional manager in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1958, he became a Vice-President with a competitor and moved his family to New Jersey. He became an industry leader, not only for his knowledge of electronics, but also for his expertise in marketing, new product sales and mergers and acquisitions. His company was acquired by IC Industries of Chicago and Ralph became CEO/President of three companies, including Midas International Corporation. After a very successful career growing Midas, Ralph was asked to be the President of the International Franchise Association. He was awarded its Hall of Fame Award in 2002 by President George Bush, selected from 1,200 member companies. He also was a successful consultant in this field and served as President and Vice Chairman for Jiffy Lube and a Director for Big O Tires.

Ralph was honored in national publications, including a 1957 Business Week article and a 1977 Time magazine article called the "Midas Touch." In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he spent three years in Kuwait and became President, COO of Yusef A. Alghanim and Sons, a billion dollar trading company. They needed his expertise to expand their General Motors dealership.

After a very successful business career, Ralph retired to Prescott, Arizona where he lived for 22 years serving and giving back to his community with his very strong philanthropic dedication. Ralph was a "volunteer" at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale where he led the development of their first hospitality house that started their Arizona Transplant House. He was the Founder, President for three terms and a Director. As a result, of this work he received a Community Quarterback Award from the Cardinals football organization.

Ralph was also very proud of his work with other organizations, especially the Yavapai County Big Brothers Big Sisters where he started a very lucrative golf tournament to raise money and was on the Board for over 20 years. He was the first Recipient of the "Beat the Drums for Kids" Award. He served as President of the Yavapai County Foundation for three terms. Among his many honors, were the 2006 Man of the Year award presented by the Prescott Area leadership organization, Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County Philanthropist of the Year in 2001; and in 2006, he received the Arizona Children's Association Circle of Champions Award for his work on behalf of youth. He served on many other boards including the Elks Opera House and the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County.

Ralph was also recognized for his work by Purdue University where in addition to his honorary doctorate; he received a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award and was recognized as a Purdue Alumni Association Life member on the Purdue President's Council. He was also honored in the Hall of Fame of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Ralph's most wonderful contribution in life was the role model and unconditional love that he gave to his children and grandchildren. He inspired his children with a sense of duty and commitment, as well as a spirit of adventure. His philosophy of life was to live life to the fullest, keep smiling, try hard to be the best that you can be and to give back to your community. Ralph also emphasized family time and having fun. Happy memories were shared skiing at Vail, swimming at the New Jersey shore and camping in Yellowstone Park. He was a devoted Christian and a member of the American Lutheran Church.

Ralph was married to Eleanor White, the mother of his children Lucy, Barbara and Ralph James Weiger Jr. (Jimmy) for 22 years. He had a second marriage for over 30-years to Katherine Weiger who died in 2009.

Ralph is survived by his loving and devoted children, their spouses and his grandchildren: Lucy Weiger and her husband Robert Crane; Barbara Lepke-Sims and her husband Michael Sims; Jimmy Weiger and his wife Pamela Weiger and their children Cassidy, Jasmine, and Kahlil Weiger; his grandchildren, Stephen James Lepke and Thomas John Lepke and his wife Geena Lepke; and stepson William Cranstoun and his family. His former wife and mother of his children, Eleanor Marshall-White also survives him.

Due to a cardiac episode in June, he moved to Sonoma, California and lived his last five months of his life with his daughter Lucy and son-in-law, Bob. He will be interned in a private ceremony at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery. Ralph died of a cardiac arrest in the arms of his daughter and son-in-law.

His family welcomes all of his friends to a Celebration of his Outstanding Life at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at the American Lutheran Church in Prescott, Arizona, to be followed by a reception at the Prescott Resort where all will have an opportunity to share their memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in his name to the Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, 3208 Lakeside Village Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301.

Information provided by survivors.


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