Ralph Schwalbach

Schwalbach, Ralph F.

Born to Eternal Life on Friday, August 21, 2026 at the age of 91. Loving husband of Rosemary Schwalbach (nee Walter) for 67 years. Cherished father of Randall (Joyce Tuchel) Schwalbach and Rene (Gary) Steven. Dear grandfather of Joey (Amanda) Steven and Mara Steven (Landon Basham). Proud great-grandfather of Marcus and Jonah Steven and Owen and Emilia Basham. Beloved son of the late Theodore and Lydia Schwalbach (nee Nagel). Special brother of the late Gordon (Virginia) Schwalbach and brother-in-law of the late Lois (Henry) Ninnemann. Also loved by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Born in Wauwatosa, Ralph attended West Milwaukee High School, where he excelled on the swim team as a diver. He proudly served his country in the US Army from 1955-57 in a missile battalion stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Returning, he met his future wife, Rosemary, on a polka dance floor and they married two years later on September 5, 1959. During the first decade of married life, he worked in the lumber industry as a salesman and estimator. He loved building, and he built two cabins on his own land near Wild Rose, WI.

Achieving an associate’s degree in business management from MATC in 1970, he became a municipal building inspector for the cities of Wauwatosa, Ripon, Greenfield, and West Allis, from where he retired in 1994. An avid outdoorsman, skilled in hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, skiing, canoeing, wilderness travel, and sailing, he shared uncountable days of freedom and nights of campfires with his son, Randall.

Ralph also loved to travel with his wife, Rosemary. Together they explored all the US states except Hawaii, plus five countries in Europe. A man who loved deeply, Ralph leaves a rich legacy to his two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with whom he played until his final days. For twenty five years, he served as volunteer instructor for the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center (MCSC). Daughter, Rene, and son, Randall, relished time with their father cruising Lake Superior in a 27-foot Catalina sloop and on the waters of Lake Michigan in one of the 22-foot Ensigns, fleeted with MCSC. Most importantly, he and Rosemary never stopped dancing. Throughout their 67 years together, they were popular members of the Wisconsin Polka Boosters. Ralph was so proud to be a US veteran and enjoyed every minute of his Honor Flight at age 89.

Visitation will be held at Mother of Perpetual Help, 2322 South 106th Street, West Allis, Wisconsin 53227 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Memorials appreciated to Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center.

“You will always be loved and remembered.”

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