Ralph Ulrich Losch

Eight bells were struck for Ralph Ulrich Losch, 53, of Butler, who died unexpectedly on Friday, May 27, 2016. Ralph passed away while sailing as the chief engineer aboard the MV Morton S. Bouchard Jr. departing New York Harbor bound for Long Island Sound.
Born in Greenville, S.C., on Oct. 29, 1962, he was the son of Ute R. Losch of Omaha, Neb., and the late Fred S. Losch.
Ralph grew up as an Air Force brat and his formative years were spent in Libya and Germany. Ralph graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala., in 1980. In the same year he attained the Eagle Scout rank. 
With a Congressional nomination, he attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and graduated in June 1984 with dual Bachelor degrees in Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation, dual USCG licenses (Deck and Engine) and a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve. 
Ralph had a diverse 32-year career in the maritime industry and the U.S. Navy. He maintained his USCG Third Mate License and attained a USCG Chief Engineer any Horsepower License along with becoming a licensed professional engineer in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
He sailed aboard various Navy ships including the USS John F. Kennedy, CV 67 and the USS Sampson, DDG 10. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Ralph was an engineering officer aboard the MV American Cormorant earning the U.S. Merchant Marine Expeditionary Award.  
Ralph honorably served our country for 30 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve attaining the rank of captain (O-6). In 2014 he was awarded the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, having been nominated by his peers in the Steel City Chapter of Kings Point Alumni in Western Pennsylvania for his outstanding service and achievements in the Maritime Industry.
Ralph was a true air, land and sea enthusiast. He was an avid flyer and often flew his Cessna (733-CQ) with his family to destinations including Disney World. To the delight of his children, he once flew them over Southern California so they could see Legoland from the sky. 
He was particularly nostalgic of the fact that, in the early 1990s, he flew his plane between the Twin Towers that once stood in lower Manhattan. Skiing was another of his favorite activities, and Ralph will always be remembered for his colorful, recognizable and large-sized hats that he wore while enjoying the slopes. 
He was so proud of his wife and children and their many accomplishments and spent every minute with them when he wasn't working.  
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo Mustello of Butler, who he married on Columbus Day 1996 and their four teenage children, all at home: Anchor, Belle, Caravel and Diesel. In addition to his mother, survivors include his sisters Ellen Losch-Rowe of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Karen (John) Hovanec of Omaha, Neb., parents-in-law, Ralph and Anita Mustello, sisters-in-law, Marci Mustello and Michele (Alan) Mustello (Dodd), all of Butler, niece Theresa (Brandon) McGeehan, Overland Park, Kan., nephew Matthew (Kaitlyn) Hovanec, Berkeley, Calif., and a great-nephew Charles McGeehan.  
He was preceded in death by his father and brother-in-law Lloyd Rowe.
LOSCH - Friends of Ralph U. Losch, who died May 27, 2016, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St, Butler.
 A traditional Latin Requiem Mass will be prayed by the Rev. James W. Dolan, pastor of St. John XXIII Parish, Pittsburgh. This extraordinary form of our Latin Rite will be at noon Saturday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Butler. Military honors and committal service at Calvary Cemetery will follow Mass.
 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ralph's memory to the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation, 14 Bond St., #1000, Great Neck, NY 11021, or by contributing to the already-established series of 30 Masses, in the ancient Gregorian tradition, scheduled to be said for Ralph. Donation envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.