Elmer Ralph Fincke

Elmer Ralph Fincke was born on April 9, 1923 to Edward Julius Fincke and Maud Louise Seidenstricker at 402 E. Josephine St. in the family’s San Antonio home. Ralph grew up working with his many siblings in his father’s meat market located right next to the family home. He was a member of the ROTC and knew he wanted to join the military even before he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio. Ralph began college at Texas A&M but decided to enlist in the Military and join the U.S. Navy in 1943. In the Navy, he became a motor mechanic working on diesel engines aboard the 800 Ton and then the 1200 Ton Submarines in the Pacific. After the war, he finished attending Texas A&M University where he went on to become a Mechanical Engineer. With his education, he started his career at Kelly AFB, then moved on to work for A.J. Monier Co. During that time, he met up Mr. EG Langhammer, who asked him to come work for his company, that was famously known at that time as Langhammer-Rummel Company in the South Texas Area representing many major manufacturers in the United States. As the business expanded in the Valley, he and the family moved to Corpus Christi in the 1950’s to open a field office for the company. Before returning to San Antonio Elmer received his Registered Professional Engineers License with the State of Texas. In the 1960’s the family moved back to San Antonio, the name was changed to Langhammer-Fincke-Hall and Ralph became a partner in the company. The company provided sales and engineering services for over thirty different manufacturers across half of Texas. In the 1970’s, the name was changed once again to Langhammer-Fincke-Pianta, with Ralph having controlling interest in the company until 1992. During that time, the company sold equipment to most major commercial, school and military facilities. After 1992, Ralph continued to support the sales and service of Sellers Engineering Boilers with his youngest son until 2014.

Ralph met and then later married the love of his life, Opal Jaggars, on April 16, 1949. They had three wonderful children, Ralph Allan Fincke (deceased), Richard Malcolm Fincke, and Thomas Randolph Fincke. During time spent in Corpus Christi, he became a Master Mason at Independence Lodge 1337. Moving back to San Antonio in 1963, they designed and built a new home in Windcrest where they both lived until 2014. They were active members of the Windcrest Community, and served on the Water Board for the Windcrest area. During the 1970’s he became a Shriner and president of the Oriental Band in 1982. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather that will be missed by all who knew him.

He leaves behind two sons, Richard Malcolm Fincke and wife, Cathy, and Thomas (Randy) Fincke. He had four grandchildren, Sunny Graybill, Christopher Fincke, Micael Fincke and wife, Kassie, and Victoria (Kati) Fincke, and three great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses of Brookdale at Alamo Heights and Legacy at Forrest Ridge in Schertz for the compassionate care Elmer received. Visitation will take place at Sunset Funeral Home Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with Funeral Services taking place Monday, March 7, 2016 at 12:00pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in Sunset Memorial Park. To offer your condolences you may log on to www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com