Ralph Louis Sweitzer, 95, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 25, 2015.
He is survived by his wife Susan; two sons, Bob and Skip, and his daughter-in-law, Donna, and their families, as well as his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and all of Susan’s relatives who made Sweitzer one of their own.
A kind-hearted, dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, departed his life here for eternal peace in paradise guided by the hand of God.
Sweitzer, affectionately known to his friends and family as “Ralphie,” was born on Feb. 7, 1920 to James Francis and Louise Myrtle Sweitzer in Baltimore, Md. He was the youngest of three sons. He was a good student, but, at the age of 16 he left school to explore his mechanical talent.
He went to work at the Glen L. Martin Aircraft Co. and soon worked his way up to airframe inspector. Sweitzer designed and inspected engine mounts for several of the bomber types being produced for the war effort by Martin Aircraft.
His first child, Robert, was born in 1942; his second child, Ralph Jr., followed in 1952. In 1944 his deferments for military service at Glen L. Martin Co. ended and a tour of duty started in the U.S. Army. After basic training in Camp Blanding, Fla., he was shipped to the European theater by way of England.
Sweitzer was a member of the 3rd Division and fought alongside his buddies through four major battles in France and Belgium. During his last battle, the Battle of the Bulge, he was seriously wounded after leading his team to silence a machine gun that had the advancing Army pinned down. His injury from an air-burst 88 shell cost him his hearing on his left side and a severe wound in his left shoulder and back from shrapnel. His hospitalization and recovery lasted for a year. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic leadership during that engagement and awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries.
In 1952, Sweitzer had brain surgery to stop the constant ringing in his head due to pressure on his 8th nerve. Just recently the French government awarded Sweitzer their highest honor for his service in France, The Legion of Honor. Due to his injuries, he was unable to return to his place in the aircraft industry. He was given an opportunity to enter into a family business with his stepfather.
Sweitzer became a master plumber and took over the company in later years. Throughout his life he excelled at everything he ever tried with sports being his passion. This passion came forward in his love of his children. The boys were given every opportunity to excel with his hope and guidance and they were both gifted with his genes. Both sons became master plumbers.
One of the interests that kept him going in his leisure life was flying. He owned three planes and earned a private pilot’s license with instrument certification. He was a little league and pony league baseball coach, a 16/18 football coach, a golfer with to hole-in-one’s, a professional bowler, a Baltimore County recreation director and much, much more.
He enjoyed his membership in numerous fraternal organizations including the Masonic Order, and as a Shriner, taught new Masons. In 1986 Sweitzer became a snow bird and found a winter home in Zephyrhills, Fla.
His life bloomed when he met his soul mate and best friend, Susan, a golf student, who was soon to become his everything. Over the next several years their relationship grew and they became one on their wedding day, April 22, 1995.
During those first years together, Sweitzer learned of Sue’s desire to celebrate a festive Christmas Season and he began creating a custom designed Christmas light display that became the envy of many from as far and wide as New England and was recognized by the news media from Tampa Bay and others. Their Christmas display won numerous awards from their township. There was nothing that he wouldn’t do to please his beloved Sue. They enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling, and meeting new mutual friends, and entertaining.
In 2008 Sweitzer and Sue decided to move to Vero Beach to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law. Heritage Plantation, a senior citizens community, greeted them with open arms. Sweitzer seemed to put down roots wherever he went. He has been blessed with so many friends over the years that we can only say thank you, to all of you that took time to know him as we do.
Sweitzer passed on from this life and into his eternal place in heaven due to a long battle with chronic heart disease complicated by cancer in multiple organs. He was accompanied by family and close friends at his passing.
On this day all of our lives have changed forever. We have lost a friend, lover, mentor and guiding light, but, in the same note, we have gained an angel looking over our every need. God has given us an angel and now he has taken him to make way for us. Dad, I love you so much.
Friends are welcome to join the family for a memorial service for Ralph at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015 at Saint Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church located at 475 43rd. Ave., Vero Beach.
A reception to celebrate his life will follow the service at the community center located in the clubhouse of Heritage Plantation located at 1101 Ranch Rd. The entrance is 100 yards south of the firehouse on 82nd Ave. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heritage Plantation Veterans Day Memorial Fund. Donations can be made to; Heritage Plantation Veterans Day Memorial Fund, C/O Stanley Paxton, Treas. 467 Union St. Vero Beach, Fl. 32966. Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgif fordseawinds.com.
