Ralph W. Kordes

Ralph William Kordes died peacefully on October 6, 2016 at the age of 94 from intestinal ischemia. Ralph lived in Riverside with his son, Kevin. Ralph was born July 7, 1922 to William and Cecelia Kordes of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up in the south side of Milwaukee attending Polaski High. As a young man he enjoyed bodybuilding and later hand balancing with a local friend. He proudly served in the Army during World War II and after returning home, he met his first wife, Gloria Olson, at Petrov Slavey’s Dance Studio where she taught ballroom dancing. They were married on April 12, 1947 and had three children together.

Ralph received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of on the GI Bill in 1950. After graduating, he was employed by AC Spark Plug in Milwaukee. In 1956, he moved to Rochester, New York to work for John Oster Manufacturing and later Taylor Instruments. In 1959, Ralph took flying lessons and obtained his private pilots license. He enjoyed flying recreationally into his 60’s. In 1960, he moved his family to Tustin, California for a job in Aerospace Engineering at Norththrop Aviation in Los Angeles followed by Hughes Aircraft, Philco Ford, and Aero Jet General. His marriage to Gloria ended in December of 1974. He then started his business, General Analog, manufacturing transformers until 2012.

In 1983, Ralph met his second wife, Suzanne Peters, at the Disneyland Hotel’s Sunday Ballroom dance social. There was an immediate connection and they were married January 14, 1984. Three years later, they finished building their custom home in Riverside, California. Their love of dancing filled their spare time together. Soon the dance floor downstairs became insufficient and they built a large dance pavilion behind their home to teach dancing and practice for competitions. “The Pavilion” (as they named it) was rented out to other dance instructors as well and hosted many holiday dance parties for friends and associates.

Ralph stayed as physically and mentally active as possible until he suffered a major stroke in November of 2015. His wife Suzanne died shortly afterwards on January 1, 2016 resulting from a fall. His son Kevin cared for him full time until his death.

Ralph is survived by his brother, Robert Kordes of Santa Barbara, California; sister, Joan Gaastra, of Markesan, Wisconsin; first wife, Gloria Kordes of Midway City, California; son Gregory Kordes (Elizabeth) of McKinnleyville, California; son Kevin Kordes, of Riverside, California; and daughter Elena Borchardt (Bruce) of Santa Ana, California.

Interment will be at Riverside National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his wife Suzanne and dance together for eternity.