Ralph Edward Berres

Ralph Edward Berres, age 82 of Plymouth passed away peacefully at his home in Plymouth surrounded by his family on October 27, 2022. He was born on June 26, 1940 in Highland Park, Michigan to the lateMatthias and Thelma Pearl (née Wiandt) Berres. Ralph is the beloved and devoted husband of 51 years to Joanne (née Baty) Berres; lovingfather of two children – Matt (Elaina) Berres and Kimberly Berres;proud grandfather of Zachary and Katie. Ralph is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his sister, Mary Lou Berres.

 He graduated from Holly High School in 1958, from Albion College with a BA in 1962, and from the University of Michigan with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1964. In 1968 he completed his MBA from Michigan State University. Ralph had a long and diverse career in the automotive engineering industry beginning in 1964 in Car Development, Product Planning & Design. He moved on to Ford Truck Service Engineering and eventually was promoted to Manufacturing Manager. In 1982 he joined Gell Manufacturing as their Operations Manager. Two years later in 1984 he joined Hess & Eisenhardt as Vice President of Engineering & Manufacturing and later as their President. In 1990 he joined Burland Manufacturing for recision Fine Blanked Parts & Assemblies, serving as their President until he retired in 2000. While he experienced many achievements at Burkland, he most enjoyed working with the company’s outreach program with Genesee County School District to create awareness of the work involved in manufacturing to High School graduates entering the labor force.

He was an avid hunting sportsman, and marksman, traveling to all parts of the United States to hunt elk, bear, wild boar, and varmints.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home,280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 A.M.

For those unable to attend, the Funeral Service will be live streamed.

In the unlikely event of an internet interruption, i.e., power outage, weather conditions, or off-site facility internet issues that are beyond our control, the funeral service will be recorded simultaneously and will be uploaded to this obituary webpage at the conclusion of the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor the memory of Ralph Edward Berres are invited to consider a contribution to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Jacksonville, Florida  32256 or to the Frankel Cardiovascular Center of the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine Office of Development, Attn: Frankel Cardiovascular Center, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy, Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3268

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.