Ralph died at Epworth Villa, Oklahoma City. Born in Oklahoma City to Ralph Eldon and Katharine Rose Kirkhuff, he was the seventh of eight children. He graduated from Classen High School in 1947, as the leading senior art student. His artistic talent and the skills he gained while working with his brick-mason father led him to acquire a Bachelor of Architecture degree from OU in 1954, receiving the prized A.I.A. student medal for excellence. After two years in the Army, mostly at Ft. Hood, he began a 30-year career with Frankfurt, Short & Bruza (1957-87), serving as project architect and project director on dozens of their largest endeavors.
In 1981 Ralph married Mary Lou Stewart Weir, a widow. In their 35 years together, Ralph and Mary Lou loved to travel the world, to attend OU sports events, and to volunteer for church functions, voting precinct work, and Mobile Meals. Ralph was a member of the American Institute of Architects and All Souls Episcopal Church in Oklahoma City.
Ralph was preceded in death by Mary Lou (2016); by his parents; and by siblings Virginia LeVrier, John Kirkhuff, Betty Lu Snider, Katharine Kreie, and Bill Kirkhuff. He is survived by sisters Rosemary Scott of Conway AR and June Edwards of Woburn MA, step-daughter Margi Weir and husband Will Patterson of Detroit MI, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A family only service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 17, 2020 at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116. The service will be live streamed for guests to join at facebook.com/allsoulsokc. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mobile Meals or All Souls’ Episcopal Church. The family wishes to thank the staff at Epworth Villa for the kind and loving care they gave to Ralph.
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