Ralph Albert Lowenfield

Ralph Albert Lowenfield, Jr., age 90, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2023 in his hometown of El Paso, Texas. He was born to Ralph and Helen Lowenfield in 1933. He grew up in El Paso, alongside his treasured siblings, Marianne Lowenfield Andrews, Wallace Moore Lowenfield, and Helen (Tilly) Lowenfield Chandler. Known affectionately as ”Punko”, he made many lifelong friends at Dudley Elementary School and El Paso High School. Always full of school spirit, Punko was a member of the gymnastics and cheerleading teams in high school. The gymnastics team was honored to perform for the Italian prisoners of war interned at Ft. Bliss during World War II.

After graduation, he attended Deerfield Academy for a year before matriculating at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Ralph and his Amherst classmates often escaped to New York City, enjoying its music and nightlife. Early jazz greats such as George Shearing played in small clubs, and Ralph became a lifelong fan.He shared his love of good music with his children, reminding them to always “tip the music.” His love of poetry began at Amherst. Ralph had the joy of attending regular readings by Robert Frost. Frost remained his favorite poet, and Ralph is well captured by his favorite two lines from the poem Into My Own: “They would not find me changed from him they knew- Only more sure of all I thought was true.”

Ralph graduated from Amherst in 1955 and married Lorrie Ingram Clark of Candor, North Carolina. Ralph and Lorrie were blessed with three children, Clark, Lorrie, and Helen Ann. During his early married life, Punko was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in Germany under the command of Gen. James H Polk, Commander in Chief, US Army Europe. For service in an armored unit in Germany, Ralph received the Meritorious Service Medal in 1957.

In 1978, he met Sandra Sears, of Nolan County, Texas who became his sweetheart, and then his wife. Sandra brought her daughter, Frances to the union. The couple subsequently established themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Lowenfield and their four children. He was a content, loving, kind, and generous man. Punko was dedicated to his family, friends, and community. Ralph loved El Paso and spent years in service to the YMCA and United Way. He enjoyed a beautiful waltz and treasured his music collection. An avid outdoorsman, Ralph loved playing tennis, riding horses, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. He loved travel and adventure; one of his greatest adventures was becoming a pilot. He began flying in order to attend meetings as a regent for Texas State Technological Institute. Ralph flew weekly, visiting family and taking friends on adventurers far and wide, from Idaho and down into Mexico. His favorite flight, though, was the one he did regularly from El Paso to Alpine. He spent many happy days fishing, hiking and riding on the ranch in the Davis Mountains.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra, and his four children, Clark Lowenfield and his wife Tricia; Lorrie Lowenfield Jayne (Christopher); Frances Lowenfield Blair (Dave); and Helen Ann Lowenfield Harper (Tom). He is also survived by his ten grandchildren, Nancy Page Lowenfield, Catherine Clare Kelly (Brian); Mary Moore Rabb ( McLean); Miriam Lowenfield-Jayne, Lillian Lowenfield-Jayne (Ramiro), Eleanor Blair, Abigail Blair, Frederick Blair, Adelaide Harper, and Lawton Harper. He had seven great-grandchildren, each of whom was a joy to him.

The family wishes to express our gratitude to Teresa Diaz and Pedro Valverde, who along with Minerva, Aimee, and Maribel provided respectful and loving care, allowing Ralph to enjoy peace in his last days. Joe Garcia was important in Ralph’s life, and Irma A. De la Cruz as well. They were loving and kind to him always. Ralph and his family hold them in great esteem. In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts may be made to the El Paso YMCA. A private burial for the family will be held at a later date.

To know Ralph was to experience his wise counsel, steadfast friendship, sharp wit, and bounteous love. It was our greatest privilege to be known and loved by you, Adios Cowboy!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Lowenfield family.