Ralph Seichi Motogawa passed peacefully in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, July 13, at age 93. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, Ralph is survived by his wife of 28 years Juanita “Nita” Lucille Johnson Motogawa, children Diane (Tommy) Bell of Americus, GA, Christopher (Ann) Motogawa of Evanston, IL, grandchildren Catherine Motogawa, Grace Motogawa, Hannah Motogawa, Donna (Jay) Roobin, and Keith Castleberry, and 5 great-grandchildren; Nita’s children Danny (Connie) Sharon, Michael (Valerie) Sharon, Thomas (Linda) Sharon, and Patricia (Clifton) Conklin; grandchildren Nathan, David, Kyle, Keith, Trevor, Connor, Stephanie, Kimberly, Jonathan, Kaley, Kevin and 21 great-grandchildren, and sisters Pauline Fujii and Evelyn Isara and brother Daniel Motogawa. Ralph is predeceased by his first wife Emily Policastro Motogawa (1929-1987), his parents Mitsunobu Motogawa and Matsuyo Kami Motogawa, and sister Elsie Yatogo.
Ralph was born in Napoopoo, Hawaii, on March 18, 1932. He left Hawaii to attend the University of Nebraska, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, in 1977.
After graduating from the University of Nebraska Ralph received a commission in the U.S. Air Force and served for 25 years until his retirement as a Major in 1980. He had a diversified career working in Communications and Electronics, Personnel Administration, and Logistics. During the Cold War, Ralph was assigned to key strategic locations in Germany prepared to bear the brunt of initial attacks from Soviet Union and East European forces. Some of his lasting contributions included the design and development of the Noncommissioned Officers Club at Kume Shima Detachment, Okinawa, and the Hobby Shop at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio, now known as Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. He was also assigned to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Gary Air Force Base near San Marcos, Texas, and to an Air Force mobile bomb scoring detachment at the Naval Ammunition Depot, Hastings, Nebraska. This specialized detachment aided in teaching pilots electronic bombing techniques.
Despite his many duties Ralph found time for recreation, as well. He was a member of the 8th AF Judo team and managed the Rod & Gun Club at Shaw AFB for six years.
After retiring from the Air Force, Ralph settled in Effingham, IL, where he was employed by WorldColor Press. WorldColor was a major printer of magazines and catalogs, including include U.S. News & World Report, Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, and Forbes.
Ralph had many diverse personal interests. He was an avid stamp and coin collector, having acquired many of these from the countries he served in during his Air Force career. He was also a successful gardener specializing in nut and fruit trees. His apple trees produced a lot of apple butter for family and friends. Ralph was also an excellent cook frequently preparing sushi for himself and others. Most impressively, he designed and managed the construction of his beautiful five-bedroom home in Effingham, often completing construction himself when subcontractors could not perform the work to his standards!
Ralph was also an avid sportsman, and a member of the Bayerischer Jugdscchutz und Jagerverband e.v. in Bayreuth, Germany and possessed the prestigious Jagdshein, which is the German hunting license. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus Council Number 665 — contributor to the Newman Century, Endowment Life Member of the National Rifle Association, member of The American Legion, and a life member of the Military Officers Association of America.
Ralph will be interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life and light lunch will begin about 12:15 PM on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Campanas Clubhouse: 22539 Viajes San Antonio TX 78261. Parking is available in the front and rear of the building. Enter through the Viajes gate off TPC Parkway. Gate code to follow.
