rn
Born March 29, 1934 in NYC the only child to William Bartels and Herta Gathmann Bartels (German immigrants who built a life here, owning and running a deli in Brooklyn).
rn
rn
Ralph attended public elementary and junior high school in NY, McBurney Prep School in Manhattan, and Rutgers University in NJ (majored in business). After graduation, he joined the US Coast Guard, attending Officer Candidate School.
rn
rn
He met his wife, Wanda (nee Truman) at a party hosted by one of the nurses she worked with at the VA. Their courtship filled with dates arranged through letters, exploring some of the best restaurants around, and going to dozens of shows on Broadway. They were married in 1960. Thus they started their life together which would be marked by their shared love of music, travel and complete devotion to each other.
rn
rn
Ralph served in the Coast Guard for over 30 years, with tours of duty including serving as the Chief Navigations Officer on the USCG Cutter Tanager, Commanding Officer of the CG Base in Buffalo, NY, Chief of the Marine Safety Division of the areas along the Mississippi River and the Port of Houston. In each tour of duty, Ralph and Wanda made lifelong friends and contributed to the communities in which they lived.
rn
rn
Along the way, they had 5 kids (Stacy, Wade, Tirza, Paige and Kimberly). Ralph enjoyed coaching Wade’s Little League team, tried to encourage all of his kids to take up golf and taught through his example the value of hard work and dedication to providing for family.
rn
rn
After he retired, Ralph became an avid golfer and he and Wanda travelled extensively, continued enjoying the arts and doted on their 8 grandchildren (Truman & Jenna Alley, Cameron & Jourdan Bartels, Anna & Georgia Bartels-Newton and Rafael & Luca Mellow-Bartels).
rn
rn
Ralph loved a good (sometimes crass) joke, good food and movies. Service to country, commitment to helping others and deep and abiding love for Wanda whom he referred to as “my bride” even 50 years after they wed.
rn
rn
We would like to thank our friends & family who have supported us during this journey. Special thanks and love to the staff & caregivers at Kingwood Silverado Memory Care. Their dedication and devotion to dad was a comfort and blessing to our family. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or charity of your choice.
rn
rn
Funeral: A celebration of life was held on 2016-04-10 at Darst Funeral Home. We will be sharing fond memories and toasting our dad after the prayer service. Please join us in remembering our Dad
To express your sympathy with a flower arrangement please contact our florist.
Stay up to date on the latest features and releases by perusing our articles.
Uniform Electronic Transactions Act 43.002(8)-“Electronic Signature” means that an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
One Response
Served under your dad on uscg tanager he was the ultimate captain often fondly referred to him as captain John Wayne high expectations of his highly trained crews whether it be search and rescue drug interdiction or Cold War encounters he was. At the top of his game proud to have served under him Rest In Peace simper paratus