Mr. Michael J. Meshenberg
It’s hard to believe I first met Ralph in 1966, some 56 years ago, most likely across a crowded Duffell family dinner table. Living in Chicago the first few years, our family’s lives were interconnected and we saw one another a lot. I remember raucous birthday and other parties, poker nights in which we played a lot of card games, maybe even some poker, and sharing many of life’s events. I remember dancing – even together! – and some of our children’s weddings and sharing joys at the births of our grandchildren. We saw one another more rarely in the many years after his family moved east, but made it a point to get together here or there when we could. I enjoyed receiving care packages of fudge when it was the family business and, more recently, looked forward to his annual holiday gifts of cheese or the like.
Ralph was a good, caring, kind man who always put others first, particularly his family. He was, simply stated, someone you could rely on to be there when needed, to do the right thing. He struggled a bit after Barb died but eventually found his new footing, teaching himself computer skills and then teaching others, particularly other seniors.
Years and distance did not diminish our affection for one another, not just as a brother-in-law but as friends. I’m going to miss him as I know so many will.
