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BORN
1924
DIED
2015
Ralph Wood Obituary
Almost a half-century later, the Admiral Risty Restaurant has served nearly 4 million patrons since opening in October 1966, undergone three expansions, and has garnered awards and a reputation as a dining landmark on the Peninsula.
Wood, who named the restaurant after his high school sweetheart and wife of 67 years, Barbara "Risty" Wood, died Sunday at the age of 90. Generations of loyal customers and "crew members" are expected to attend his memorial service at 3 p.m. Friday at St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow.
Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Wood
32 Entries
Marshall Loveday
February 13, 2015
To the ENTIRE Wood family - My very sincere condolences on the passing of your father, grandfather and great-grandfather. I knew Mr. Wood as a very kind employer, spending 4 years working for Woody's Smorgasburger from 1968 to 1972. May you be forever blessed by his memory, as I have been.
Marshall Loveday
February 9, 2015
I am so sorry for the family's loss. May you draw close to God through prayer during this difficult time. Philipians 4:6,7
Maria Alarcon
February 9, 2015
Our condolences to the family ..
From Alarcon Ascencio Family
Don Steinke
February 8, 2015
Sorry to here about Ralph's passing.
He took a chance on hiring me in 1952 at Woody' old timer. Then we became partners in two snack bars in Lucky super markets.and then at Woody' Smorgasburger in 1956. He taught me a lot and in 1964 I became a KFC franchise operating over 80 restaurants
February 6, 2015
february 6th, 2015
Dear Wood Family
i am so sorry for your loss
i remember meeting your father many years ago at one of the many times i dined at The Admiral Risty
my first dining experience was back in 1966 after a bishp montgomery homecoming dance
i loved the atmosphere-food and service
have dined at The Risty probably 40 times and each brunc or dinner was one to remember
Your father had a full wonderful life
May he rest in peace
sincerely,
patti doinoff berardino
Arnold Karlson
February 6, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you. It was so special to Ralph to celebrate his 90th birthday in December surrounded by his family and I am so happy that he could do so. What a wonderful and full life he lived, a life well spent.
Jerome Hidalgo
February 4, 2015
Peace to a great man. I was a Bartender at the Catalina Grill. Ralph was very kind to everyone and was very pleasant to talk to. My time at the Catalina Grill was my favorite restaurant experience. It was like family. My Condolences go out to the entire Wood family.
Amy Nagata
February 4, 2015
Our heartfelt sympathies on Ralph Wood's passing. Know that Our Lord's breath is now upon him. We have missed his Culver City restaurant for oh, so many years. His office was nearby as well .... nearly a half century ago.
Yes Mr. Wood, we will remember you !
Denise McCrory Riley
February 4, 2015
Denise McCrory Riley - A sad day for sure. Great memories from UCLA. Many Sundays when Tish & I were at the end of our food budget allowance, we had just enough for a Hamburger at Woody's Smorgasburger ($1+). We would sneak to the Sundae bar to put chopped peanuts on it. And, they never called us on it. If we were "flush" we could afford an ice cream sundae. So grateful to Mr. Wood. And, now a family tradition with our son Matt and daughter-in-law Lindsay: a pre-Christmas dinner at "The Risty!" And, Matt treats! So many memories, so many celebrations! Mr. Wood, may you rest in peace????
P.S., How's the Sundae Bar doing up there?
Malcolm Bross
February 4, 2015
Yes, Ralph Wood could be stubborn with me. During the 1960's I tried in vain for French fries at his PCH burger joint. Years later, I suggested a roasted Pork Tenderloin entrée for the Risty. NADA . Ralph continued to do fine without me .... but still.
Here's to Ralph Wood , " A man's man."
My sympathies to Mr. Wood's children.
Barb Huff
February 4, 2015
Our deepest sympathies on his passing... may there be joy and peace for a life well-lived.
Ron Lacanfora
February 3, 2015
Warm tropical waters sunshine sandy beaches gentle mountains
Charlene Vaughn
February 3, 2015
As for Ralph Woods wonderful life;
" Don't cry because it's over,
smile because it happened. " ~Dr. Seuss
I hope Heaven is as pretty as Palos Verdes. Ralph so loved the Pacific.
Gerardo
February 3, 2015
Todas nos hemos amado tanto por tanto tiepo Sr. Ralph Wood.
Your bondad siempre sera remembered.
Christina Fox
February 3, 2015
Ralph Wood had so much going for him, including that wonderful wide Clark Gable smile. Rest in peace my friend.
Raquel Real
February 3, 2015
Rest in Peace, Mr. Wood.
God Bless you. Prayers to all family and friends.
Bob Kaufman
February 2, 2015
I am so sad to hear of this. You never has enough time with the one's you love. I remember running track and playing bridge with Jon throughout high school, and then rekindling our friendship for a while in the 1990s when he landscaped our new home. Sara was always the younger sister who turned all our heads, and whom we all would have protected and defended like our own sister. Rest easy, Ralph. My best to Sara and Jon.
bob mccarthy
February 2, 2015
OMG...I still have such a vivid memory of Mr. Wood standing on the other side of the counter while I worked the register at the Redondo/Hollywood Riv Woody's from '62-'63 tempting me to instead major at U Hawaii in Restaurant Management instead of saving to go off to Graduate Psych in KS! What an Entrepreneur of The Era I sooo failed to listen to, BUT most importantly! what a Gen Teel Man...now so long gone of an era!!! RIP Senor!!
Helen Zelt-Seelig
February 2, 2015
The love given to so many by Barbara and Ralph Wood will always be in our hearts and treasured memories of The Admiral Risty.
Thank you for all the beautiful memories, you will always be in our prayers.
Wishing the Wood Family peace and healing, Trippy Zelt-Seelig
Maureen Sweeney PV High class of 1972
February 1, 2015
Oh my condolences to the Wood family. The Admiral Risty and Woody's is part of the fabric of my youth. My father LOVED them both, especially the deserts. I was a PV High class of 1972 classmate of Chip's. I recall hearing of his mom's passing a few years ago - and now his father. This is a beautiful write up and a nice picture of Mr. Wood. Prayers to all.
February 1, 2015
My sympathy to the Wood family.
Mr. Wood was such a great person and boss. We all loved and respected him.
I will never forget him.
Chris Pingel
(Woodys #1 mid sixties)
Cynthia Howard
February 1, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. We spent many birthdays celebrating at the Admiral Risty. A great man, may he rest in peace
February 1, 2015
Ralph was an inspiration to meet for all. As a student, I stayed one summer with Ralph and Risty, and they were an inspiring, generous and humorous couple. They will both be missed. May he also rest in peace.
Elizabeth R. Meltinis - Denmark
Phil Ankofski
January 31, 2015
For the family and Friends of Ralph Wood;
While napping this afternoon I had this dream ;
After initial greetings were exchanged Saint Peter asked Ralph " Did you bring along your Smorgasburger salsa
recipe ? If not,I know SOMEONE who'll
be VERY disappointed ! "
~ submitted with love ~
Debbi Duston Lehr
January 31, 2015
All my love and prayers to the Wood family
Donna
January 31, 2015
My deepest sympathies go out to the Wood family. A life very well lived. Thank you for all your kindness & generosity to others. You & your wife made a lovely family & you made a huge impact on this community.
Jerry Walter
January 31, 2015
I was sad to hear that Mr Wood passed away. I was an employee at Woody's Smorgasburger in Culver City, California in 1964 for three years. I have many fond memories of him and my employment. Our prayers go out to him and his family.
Steve Eden
January 31, 2015
So very sorry to hear of this! Our thoughts are with you all. You were a fixture in Palos Verdes for all of us! Thank you for all of your warmth and hospitality over the years! R IP.
Ty Kasunich
January 31, 2015
So sorry to hear, we've lost a good friend and mentor to us all.
Ralph is back up in the highest reaches of God's mountains, hiking the sunrise with Risty, casting into ethereal waters, and brunching together in the clouds. I'll think of Ralph every time I make his classic Bleu Cheese Dressing. Rest in peace...
Elizabeth Jeter (Arnold)
January 31, 2015
So sorry to hear about Mr.Wood.
The Admiral Risty was certainly a family favorite on the hill.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
The Arnold Family
Phil Ankofski
January 31, 2015
To the Family and Friends of Ralph Wood,
My heart will be heavy for a very long time. Mr. Wood was a mentor to so many of us. May God bless us all. Amen
Phil Ankofski
SmorgasBurger employee, mid 1960's ~
Dave Behar
January 31, 2015
Innovation, courtesy, customer service with a smile and great taste - a hallmark of Wood's legacy. We should all continue enjoy the goodness that the Admiral Risty and Crew has guided and brought to our community...
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