Ralph J. Leppla

News Death Notice

LEPPLA, Ralph J. age 88, native of Lima, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2011, at home in Germantown, Ohio surrounded by his family. Ralph was an athlete, a musician, an engineer, a veteran, an absolute gentleman and a hard working role model to all who knew him. He was born on the farm where he was raised in Lima on May 29, 1923, to George W. and Grace (Simington) Leppla. Ralph attended The Ohio State University, receiving his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948. His college career surrounded two years of service to his country during WW II, in both the European and Asian theaters, in the US Navy aboard the USS Duplin. He married Helen Kupski Leppla of Wheeling, W.Va. on September 6, 1947. They had met at a USO event in Washington D.C. during the War. Ralph's professional career began as a design engineer at Jack & Heintz in Cleveland in 1948, developing military and civilian aircraft. Nine years later Ralph and Helen moved their family to Vandalia, Ohio after he accepted a position at Leland Airborne. He was employed at National Cash Register from 1960 to 1973 where he became Financial Systems Director, overseeing all of NCR's engineering operations in Dayton. He later became the chief sales engineer for Techmet Co., during which time he built sales revenues from $250,000 to $5.7 M. in twelve years. He supported his sons and grandchildren in everything they undertook. He was totally devoted to Helen. Ralph lived by his own words, "never give up." Honesty, loyalty and determination were the hallmarks of his life. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Hakius; and 4 brothers, Paul, George, John and H. David Leppla. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of almost 64 years, Helen K. Leppla; 2 sons and daughters- in-law, David and Vicki Leppla of Remington, Indiana and Gary J. and Patti Leppla of Germantown, Ohio; 3 grandchildren, Dominic M. Leppla, Miranda R. Leppla and Philip J. Leppla, together with many nieces and nephews, all of whom loved him dearly. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2011, at Calvary Cemetery Chapel, on S. Patterson Blvd. in Dayton, Ohio, where the funeral service will follow on Friday, August 12, at 10 a.m., with Pastor Michael Havey, officiating. The family will also receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m., prior to the service Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Hospice of Dayton. Dalton Funeral Home, Germantown, serving the family.