Date Of Death: January 30, 2010
End of an Era at Stahl EngineeringÂ….Ralph W. Stahl , after doing business in Indianapolis as Stahl Engineering for the past 70 years, has moved on.Ralph passed away peacefully in his home this past Saturday, January 30th. He will be sorely missed. Not only in the industrial community where he was well liked and respected but our city as a whole will be the poorer for his passing. In his years with us he has served for 50 years as a director of Indianapolis Boys and Girls clubs. He established the Keenan-Stahl Boys club. He has provided scholarships for club members, established scholarships at Rose-Hulman, Hillsdale College and Illinois Institute of Technology and most recently a grant to IU foundation for post graduate Mathematics students in wife Muriel’s name. He was also party to the original founding and continued support of the Ruth Lilly Center for Health and Education. He was part of the founding and continues support for the Milton Friedman Foundation for school choice. He has long been a supporter of Junior Achievement. In 1997 Stahl received the Community Service Award from the Indianapolis Scientific and Engineering Foundation. He has been an active member of American Society for Metals his entire professional life. He was an active member of Rotary and Scientech for more than two decades. For over sixty-five years he has been a faithful member of the Indianapolis Presbyterian congregation; initially 30 years at Irvington and now 35 years at Second Presbyterian.Ralph was predeceased by his wife Muriel and daughters Judythe Ann and Janet Dee. He is survived by sons Kenneth ( Betty ) and Curtis ( Dorene ); grandchildren Jubel, Justine, Rafer, Annie, Paige, Jason, Christine, Clayton; greatgrandchildren Alexandria, Morgan, Kayla, Gage, Nicholas, Olivia, Blakley, Reece, and Ethan.Ralph was born in Chicago in 1913 and educated in the public schools. He received his Bachelors in Mechanical engineering from Amour Institute (Now IIT) and an Honorary P.H.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman. His first position was with the gas company of Chicago and after two years joined friend Art Nielson in establishing A.C. Nielson. It was during his time with Nielson that he was exposed to Lindberg furnaces and would soon establish a lifelong relationship with Lindberg Engineering founding Stahl Engineering in 1939. Seventy years hence Stahl Engineering continues to be one of the most respected firms in heat treating equipment in our region. Carl Weber, Bob Rodewald, Linda and Shannon continue to maintain the Stahl Engineering presence.Ralph and Muriel kept busy with travels throughout the years. Together they made visits to all of the National Parks and visited over 60 countries around the world. For thirty years they shared ownership of Out island property in the Bahamas and were known to coax all willing friends to join them there. Ralph was still spear fishing at 85 years. In later years they enjoyed cruising and visiting family.For his last years Ralph requested that he might spend them in his home with all things familiar at hand. Companionship and care were provided by Curtis and his wife Dorene enabling Ralph to regularly go to the office until this past October.Visitation will be held on Thursday February 4th from 9am to Noon with the service at Noon at the Harry Moore Family Mortuary Allisonville Road Chapel. Burial will take place in Berlin Cemetery Berlin, PA.In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis.
Kenneth Stahl says
Dad- We miss you you so Yet we know you and Mom are rejoicing in your reunion. Thanks for all you gave through all the years. For showing me by example to put God above all else and then family and the rest would take care of itself. Rejoice ! You’re home at last. May the Lord help us to be the blessing you have always been to so many. Your loving Son,
Ken
Tonya Spore says
Ralph and Muriel were such lovely people. They would come in to Quick and Reilly and always had stories of the places they had visited. It was such a joy to talk to them. I am so sorry for your loss, but please know they are remembered with fondness.
Robert H Rodewald says
I remember spear fishing with Ralph on his island in the Bahamas in 1975. Despite the difference in our ages (42 years), he swam circles around me and taught me how it should be done – respect the sea and it will reward you!
My wife, Roe, and I enjoyed a delightful lunch with Ralph and Muriel 20 years later when they were visiting the west coast. As always, they were wonderful company! Generous with their time and experience, they both demonstrated a life well lived!
We wish their family and many friends our condolences and best wishes in the future.
Joe Suzi Ash says
Suzi & I had great visit’s with Ralph here in Ohio during the last few years. We always enjoyed his company & entertaining him. Us having projects going on all the time he always was interested in the way the things worked & went together he had a great mechanical mind. We will miss him dearly & are condolences to all of his family
joe and vangie quigley says
Dear Curt and Doreen and Family,
Vangie and I are sadened to hear of Ralph’s death, but happy that he will join Muriel in heaven. Ralph was truly my “second” father. He taught us so much about life and love. We will all miss him dearly.
Joe and Vangie
Randall Esther Wigent says
We were so sorry to hear the passing of your Father. He came to Michigan and rode in the John Deere combine with us. He was a very special man and we were privileged to have known him.
Cindy Miller’s parents
Randall and Esther Wigent
Deb Potts says
I’ll miss you, Ralph! You were a great neighbor and a good man. Everyone should live as long and as wide as you did!
John Hurlburt says
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ralph Stahl. It’s truely inspiring to see how thoughtful and giving Ralph was throughout his lifetime. His generosity will continue to impact thousands of kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis for many years to come.
Sonja Montgomery says
I would like to send my condolences to the family and express my sorrow for your loss. I’m a friend and colleague of Justine’s here in San Antonio, TX.
Ossian says
I wish the Stahl family peace and blessings at this time of loss. With Ralph’s passing, it is the end of an era but his inspirational spirit with live on in those lives he touched. My deepest sympathies to you and yours. Ossian
Linda and Jim Lizon says
Ralph will be greatly missed by one and all. I am so happy to have been part of his “family” for 24 years. We are so happy we spent time with Ralph on Friday morning to say our goodbye. He was a wonderful man. He lived a full life, one most of us can only envy.
“So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.”
dorene says
dad stahl, may you soar with the angels and leap into heaven on your final travels. loving you and missing you so very much xoox dorene
Chip Cathy Kensinger says
Curt & Family
You are very fortunate to have been able to spend a lot of quality time with Ralph over the last several years. I really enjoyed our visit when you and Ralph were touring the Midwest. He was a remarkable man and packed a lot into his and Muriel’s life times. He’ll be greatly missed by many.
Best Wishes
Chip & Cathy
Lee Allen says
I am thinking of you J.D.
Jubel Caudill says
What a great man! Truly an inspiration in the way he embraced life and made the most of every moment and energized all those around him. You would have a hard time finding anybody that met him that didn’t regard him as a friend because thats the way he treated you. Whether you were the CEO of company he was visiting or the busboy clearing the lunch table he treated everyone with equal respect, sincere interest and genuine care. He truly appreciated everything anybody did for him and always made sure to express it. One of the more generous people you would ever know. Always willing to help somebody so they could help themselves. I know he and Grandmommy and mom and Aunt Janet are having a great reunion right now. We will miss your smile and ever present twinkle in your eye.
Love, Jubel
Marshelle SheltonSights says
To the family of Ralph Stahl, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We are sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Marshelle Sights-Unit Director of the Keenan-Stahl Boys & Girls Club.
Tony Cassady says
Although Grandad Stahl has been in our lives for only 6 years when my Mother Dorene married Curt, I have learned a great deal from him, he has shown me to be a good person isn’t just to be good, but to teach it also.
I have always been amazed of the life that he led with both Grandma Stahl and without, he swam laps every morning, He went to the office everyday and went to lunch with the “boys” everyday at the speedway.
As I read his obituary I learned of even more things that he has done in his long and wonderful life….amazing!
What a truly amazing life he has lived, especially when I realize I will never visit all the places he has, nor helped all the youth of Indianapolis as he has…but can lead by his example and try as hard as I can to live as he did….to Earn Allot, Live Allot and Give Allot!
You will be greatly missed.
The Cassady’s (Dorene’s son)
Tony, Ashley, Brecken & Wyatt.
Kristie Hill says
Ralph Stahl’s commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis changed the lives of thousands of our city’s young people. What a powerful legacy for a truly fine man.
JEAN HELMS says
WE WILL MISS YOU ALOT JEAN, JANE, SHIRLEY, RAHEE, BRITTANY FROM BRICKYARD 400 LOVE YOU JEAN HELMS YOU WILL JOIN YOUR WIFE AND BE AT PEACE!
Ellen and Paul Whitworth says
We are so sorry to hear of your Grandad’s passing. He was truly an incredible person. I know you were close. We enjoyed the times we met him.
Our thoughts are with you,
The Whitworth family
John Givens says
Sorry to hear about the passing of Ralph. He was a great person.
Albert Christian says
To a great person and a wonderful mentor to me, in my early days with Lindberg in Indianapolis. I always enjoyed our ’chats’ and lunches at the IAC. My prayers will be said for him in mass on Sunday, at my church here in Fl. Thank you Ralph…
Albert
John and Eileen Henderson says
We are friends of Marla and Rafer and had the pleasure of meeting ’granddad’ last December. Our deepes sympathy goes out to his family and friends. What a wonderful example of embracing life to the fullest!
Larry Caudill says
Ralph was the father of my wife, Terry, the mother of my children, Jubel, Justine and Rafer. He always called me his son-in-law, even long after Terry and I were divorced. He was the finest man I have ever known. I will miss him profoundly.
Jim Jarrett says
Sorry for your loss,he was a treasured friend
Kenneth Knox says
I loved Ralph, and Muriel — solid people with a heart for kids from poor homes. I was one of them, and later became director of the Boys Club where I worked with Ralph who was on my board. He also treated me to a visit to the Bahaman island he so loved back in the early 70’s. My sympathy to all the family — he left a great legacy!
Justine says
I find this difficult, as if writing means an end, closure. But so many memories, and more importantly so many lessons, things that GrandDaddy (and GrandMommy) taught me, and how often those words of wisdom come to life and I find myself repeating them to others…this is when I realize that there is no end, he lives through so many of us. I am most proud to be Ralph Stahl’s granddaughter, he was the greatest man I ever knew.
He saw life as a great adventure to explore and celebrate. And his ability to find joy every where was wonderful. I sit here looking a photo of him behind his machines in the shop at the house, he smiles and the eyes have that ever present sparkle…
may we celebrate his life by emulating him.
With the greatest love and admiration.
Justine
Syd G Paschen says
As one of the newer members of Ralph Stahls extended family,(Ralph’s grand daughter Justine’s husband). I will share that it was Justine account of Ralphs trip to Alaska which intruced us. I shair your loss.
Respectfully
Syd
Roger Akers says
Sorry to hear of your Grandfathers passing; he was a wonderful man.
Roger
Kent Sharp says
Ralph was a dear friend and he will be missed by all of us. But in a larger sense we know that he made this world a better place to live by devoting his life to helping others. I looked up to him, because he had values that I try to emulate. He will occupy a special place in my heart. Thank you, Ralph.
Bob Stapert VicePresident Keenan Stahl Advisory Board says
Deepest sympathy to the family. As a past member and long time volunteer at the Keenan-Stahl club, I am grateful for all that Mr. Stahl has done for us. He will be truly missed.
Dave Doubet says
Ralph was an amazing man who led an incredible life. The world is a better place because of his presence. Ralph will truly be missed.
Rick Simpson says
God bless you for sharing your blessings with those less fortunate. Your unselfish contributions to the youth of Indianapolis leaves a lasting legacy by improving their opportunities in life.
You will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.
Board Member Keenan-Stahl Boys & Girls Club
Pat Cassady Simmons says
Ralph was always larger than life to me and I always looked forward to his visits to Montana and his letters regarding his travels. Then for the past 20 years I would share my travel adventures with him. Mom and I had an opportunity to visit him in 1994 after Dad passed away and I remember him taking me to his office in his white Firebird or Camaro, can’t remember which. I was sure he was going to get a ticket for speeding. A couple of our friends from Montana joined us and stayed with Ralph and Muriel in 1995 when Ralph was able to get us tickets to the Indy 500 and set everything up for us. We was such a humble and selfless man. He certainly will be missed.
Angela Caudill says
He will be missed as a unique individual who gave back to his community and made the world both wide and small a better place.