Col. Ralph F. Wetzl

Ralph is survived by his beloved wife of almost 55 years, Susan Wetzl; children Christine Wetzl, Lisa Ellsworth (Brian), Julie Andrews (David), and Michael Wetzl (Laura); grandchildren Cooper Andrews, Will Andrews, Grace Ellsworth, JD Ellsworth, Nate Ellsworth, and Lily Shipley; sister-in-law retired LTC Carol Hense; brother-in-law Robert Hense; nephew Jake Chasse; and nieces Michelle Woodhull and Susannah Deaton.

Ralph was a first-generation American, born on August 8, 1935 in New York City, NY to Ulrich and Liesel Wetzl. Growing up as an only child in the Bronx, sleeping on the living room couch, Ralph learned an incredible work ethic from his German immigrant parents, who worked hard with limited education to secure a spot for their little family in the American Dream. They succeeded.

Ralph’s parents wanted him to enjoy the outdoors during the summer, so they joined other German immigrant friends and carved a summer community out of the woods on Candlewood Lake, CT. This little German enclave was called Joyce Hill and provided many joyous summers and strong lifetime friendships over the next 50 years. Ralph got his first job at 13 years old there at the Greenlight General Store & Restaurant, eventually becoming its teenage summer manager.

Hard work and education were constant themes in his household. While attending DeWitt Clinton High School, Ralph worked at a department store. His father’s work as a mechanic at Coca-Cola made Ralph eligible for a scholarship for children of employees. He won it, sending him to New York University and changing the course of his life. He joined the U.S. Air Force ROTC in college and of course continued working – the Post Office, NYU Bookstore, and (to the later delight of his children) selling Davy Crockett hats in Times Square.

Upon graduation, Ralph was commissioned into the Air Force. He served 28 exciting and rewarding years, retiring at the rank of Colonel. He was a pilot and served in Vietnam initially as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in a joint operation with the Army. He once flew over 24 hours through cloud cover and intense ground fire to guide fighter planes one-by-one to opposing forces who had ambushed and overrun two infantries of soldiers on the ground, breaking the hostile attack. For his bravery, CPT Wetzl - an Air Force pilot - was honored with the Silver Star by none other than U.S. Army GEN William Westmoreland, Commander of the U.S. Forces in Vietnam.

After his FAC tour, Ralph switched to piloting the Air Force’s newest fighter plane, the F-4 Phantom. He would be further honored with two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Legion of Merits. After years of advancement, including being selected for the National War College and earning an MBA at George Washington University, Ralph served as Vice Wing Commander of the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Serving there with his young family was a busy and momentous time, including the bombing of Headquarters by the Bader-Minhoff Gang.

Following that post, Ralph was given command of his own wing, the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Zweibrucken Air Base, Germany. In addition to his leadership skills, the fact that German was his first language served him well in establishing excellent relationships with local leaders. He would say that even with the later successes of his civilian career, the pinnacle of his professional life was as Wing Commander at “Sunny Zwei.”

Ralph retired from the Air Force in 1985, moved the family to the Washington D.C. suburbs in Virginia, and launched a second 20-year career in the defense industry, first at BDM and later as a Corporate Vice President at SAIC. He also took an active role in the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA), eventually serving as President. Upon retirement, he moved to North Carolina to embrace his 3rd major phase of life – an active and loving grandfather called “Opa.”

Ralph treated being a grandfather like he had with every other important job in his life – with hard work and attention. He was at every event in their lives – every ball game, every school ceremony. He faithfully visited them at elementary school for lunch, ordering from two separate places to pick up their favorite foods! He and Susan took each of them on special “alone time” trips to Washington D.C.

Ralph Wetzl was the rock of his immediate and extended family. Everyone turned to him in times of trouble, for help and advice. He was a model of integrity, goodness, and quiet strength, teaching all of his kids and grandkids by example. Even as age and shadows clouded his mind, his first priority was always his family and he sought constant reassurance that all was well with those he loved. We will miss him for the rest of our lives, and his legacy will reverberate through the generations.

The family wishes to thank Cadence Senior Living at Mint Hill for their excellent care over the last two years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, September 13th, 2024 at St. Luke Catholic Church 9800 Fairview Road Mint Hill, NC 28227. COL Ralph F. Wetzl will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Find updates and an online guestbook at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.