Official Obituary of
Ralph William Andres
May 12, 1928 ~ February 22, 2020 (age 91) 91 Years Old
Ralph Andres Obituary
Duluth resident Ralph William Andres, a U.S. Army Air Force veteran, skilled machinist and craftsman of large-scale models, died Feb. 22, 2020.
He was 91.
Born May 12, 1928, in Mora, Minn., to William and Lydia Andres, Ralph graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and, beginning in 1946 during the aftermath of World War II, served in South Korea and Japan as an aircraft mechanic for the 475th Fighter Group, the sister outfit of the 49th Fighter Group of Maj. Richard I. Bong.
Ralph returned to the U.S. in 1949 and graduated from Television Broadcasting School, leading to a position with WCCO-TV in Minneapolis. Ralph later became a machinist with the Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, where he worked until retiring in 1986. He also worked in UMD's industrial engineering department.
Some of Ralph's models were featured in the Duluth News Tribune. One - a 17-foot 2,800-pound working steam locomotive, a Yellowstone 2-8-8-4 - is on display at the Depot. Other replicas include a P-38 Lightning fighter exhibited at the Bong historical center, the Aerial Lift Bridge, the USS Des Moines and his final project, the Eiffel Tower.
Ralph was a member of Salem Covenant Church. He loved classical music and had season tickets to UMD Bulldog hockey games and the DSSO with the love of his life, Patricia Anderson. The couple enjoyed travel and adventure, taking many trips to Europe and a special trip to Africa. Ralph's quick wit, generosity and wry humor will be treasured and missed.
Ralph was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne Andres, his brother, Dennis Andres and sister Lorraine Johnson.
He is survived by Patricia, of Duluth; daughters Heidi (Terry) Ennis and Gretchen Martin, all of Moreno Valley, Calif.; Holly (Dan) Carver, of Duluth; sons Tim (Paula) Andres of Idaho and Mark Andres of Virginia. He is also survived by sister-in-law Fannie Andres of Duluth; Carla (Lee) Hollingsworth of Wascott; June Anderson (Randy Morgel) of Iron River; Rob (Rhonda) Anderson and Greg (Mary) Kopel-Anderson, all of Duluth, along with 22 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.
Visitation: Noon Feb. 28 at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the DSSO.
4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
He was 91.
Born May 12, 1928, in Mora, Minn., to William and Lydia Andres, Ralph graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and, beginning in 1946 during the aftermath of World War II, served in South Korea and Japan as an aircraft mechanic for the 475th Fighter Group, the sister outfit of the 49th Fighter Group of Maj. Richard I. Bong.
Ralph returned to the U.S. in 1949 and graduated from Television Broadcasting School, leading to a position with WCCO-TV in Minneapolis. Ralph later became a machinist with the Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, where he worked until retiring in 1986. He also worked in UMD's industrial engineering department.
Some of Ralph's models were featured in the Duluth News Tribune. One - a 17-foot 2,800-pound working steam locomotive, a Yellowstone 2-8-8-4 - is on display at the Depot. Other replicas include a P-38 Lightning fighter exhibited at the Bong historical center, the Aerial Lift Bridge, the USS Des Moines and his final project, the Eiffel Tower.
Ralph was a member of Salem Covenant Church. He loved classical music and had season tickets to UMD Bulldog hockey games and the DSSO with the love of his life, Patricia Anderson. The couple enjoyed travel and adventure, taking many trips to Europe and a special trip to Africa. Ralph's quick wit, generosity and wry humor will be treasured and missed.
Ralph was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne Andres, his brother, Dennis Andres and sister Lorraine Johnson.
He is survived by Patricia, of Duluth; daughters Heidi (Terry) Ennis and Gretchen Martin, all of Moreno Valley, Calif.; Holly (Dan) Carver, of Duluth; sons Tim (Paula) Andres of Idaho and Mark Andres of Virginia. He is also survived by sister-in-law Fannie Andres of Duluth; Carla (Lee) Hollingsworth of Wascott; June Anderson (Randy Morgel) of Iron River; Rob (Rhonda) Anderson and Greg (Mary) Kopel-Anderson, all of Duluth, along with 22 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.
Visitation: Noon Feb. 28 at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the DSSO.
Visitation
FEB 28. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (CST)
Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
Funeral Service
FEB 28. 1:00 PM (CST)
Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph William Andres, please visit our floral store.
Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know Ralph William Andres?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor Ralph's memory.
Email
Print
Copy
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Ralph William Andres
© 2024 Sunrise Funeral Home Cremation Services - Cemetery. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility