Ralph "Hank" E. Hendrickson

RALPH E. “HANK” HENDRICKSON, 81, born January 19, 1930, passed away December 9, 2011, in New Braunfels, Texas after his battle with Alzheimer’s. He is preceded in death by his parents, Les and Marie Blackwell, Pearl Hendrickson of Indiana; and is survived by his immediate family Robert and Barbara Hendrickson, Jerry and Vy Hendrickson, and Emily Arvanitakis; his children Michael “Mickey” and Nancy Hendrickson; daughter Patty and Ben Grimm, and stepson Bobby and Margie Ham; grandchildren Sandra and Kurt Alstrin, Hank Hendrickson, Christopher and Lynette Merry, and Bret and Megan Merry; Tyler and Aubrey Ham. Great-grandchildren Michael and Cameron Alstrin, Brendn Merry, Faith Merry, Peyton Merry, Reese Merry, and Tate Merry.

A memorial service will be held at Zoeller Funeral Home at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 17th, 2011. Inurnment will follow at Hill Country Memorial Gardens. An online guestbook may be found at www.zoellerfuneralhm.com.

Hank graduated from Crown Point High School in Crown Point, Indiana. Many knew him as a golf pro with a tremendous sense of humor and zest for life. He was notorious for his sharp wit and knowledge of useless facts...does a person really need to know how many dimples there are on a certain brand of golf ball, the distance between first and third base, and countless other facts and figures? There are fond memories of his playful banter with just about anybody he came in contact with. Beyond the golf course, Hank was an animated referee that began officiating girl's high school games in Idaho and worked his way up through the ranks including a perennial fixture at state tournaments, PAC-10 college games, and numerous Globe Trotters games. Before that, he spent 17 years as an airman in the (Army) Air Force as a drill instructor and in the services career field managing recreation facilities in the Azores (Portugal), Mountain AFB, Idaho, and at Lackland Air Force Base. During that time, he was a member of an amazing 4-man fastpitch softball team that competed around the world against 9-man teams, winning nearly every exhibition and tournament game played. He also tried out as a catcher for the then Brookyln Dodgers. Following a tryout for the team, Hank decided to enlist in the Air Force after not hearing from them. Wouldn't you know, they contacted him shortly thereafter, but it was too late as he already enlisted into the military. As a family, all of us are proud of his competitive, playful spirit holding on to the end. Despite struggles with dementia that sadly progressed rapidly over the past several weeks and enjoyed one last hurrah, as he took on a care provider in wheel chair races at the care facility. He told his recreation therapist he came in third. We would like to think he decided to go out on a high note, on his own terms, and, while he will be missed, we are sure he found peace in joining his wife that passed away just over one year ago. Thanks for the memories...