Ralph Henry Daum was born in Centralia, Illinois on Feb. 15, 1927 to parents Henry E. Daum and Louise (Grefe) Daum. When he went to be with the Lord on Sunday July 22, 2012 he was 85 years old. He had a good life! He was a very active young man enjoying small town life in southern Illinois. When WWII started he was in high school and was allowed to leave in January of his senior year to join the Navy. He specialized in manning the radar screen on a destroyer in the Pacific--the U.S.S. Leary and did so with a bucket between his knees because he was seasick most of the time. Once the war ended he was released from the Navy and on his way back to Illinois, he sent his Mom and Dad a telegram. "Your prodigal son has returned." After his return, he had various jobs. One was at a men's clothing store—Hutter's in Centralia. At the bus stop, a pretty girl caught his eye. After dating Ida Crane for over a year he was finally prodded into action when his Dad, who really liked this beautiful young woman said "You better get that girl a ring!". So he did and married Ida on October 22, 1949. He built the first house they lived in on W. 2nd in Centralia. Within the next five years three young children had filled the small home. Connie, Paul and Judy were all born while they lived on W. 2nd.
Dad's job at the telephone company is the one that lasted. He started out as an installer, climbing poles and eventually got promoted into management—where he acquired the nickname "Rick". He was transferred to Champaign, Illinois in 1958 so the whole family moved to Garden Hills Drive. He was transferred again to work in Joliet, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) so the family moved once again to an apartment on Cooper in New Lenox. Chris was born in 1963 and the family moved shortly thereafter to a house that Dad and Mom helped build the way they wanted.
The family liked to vacation in Wisconsin and Michigan and of course made frequent trips to Centralia to visit family—especially Ralphs' sister Mary Lou. Holidays were a favorite time. Dad's favorite holiday food was "little smokies" along with cherry pie, homemade applebutter and homemade bread—especially if it was made by his Mom.
Dad retired in 1986 and he and Mom moved to Austin in 1989 when Judy's husband Michael started work as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Judy intended to have a family, and Mom and Dad both wanted to get away from the snow in New Lenox and be near their future grandchildren. They almost immediately remodeled the house on Froke Cedar to create a workshop for Dad to continue his interest in woodworking and stained glass. Dad made Grandfather clocks for Mom and each of his kids. He also made stained glass angels, doves and hummingbirds. His last woodworking interest was in making bowls on a lathe.
Dad loved spending time with friends and carried small crosses in his pocket everywhere he went to hand out in order to spread the "Good News" of the Gospel. His favorite bible passages were John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Along with Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Dad's grandkids were the light of his life and he really enjoyed being "Papa" to Jonathan and David. We will remember him forever in our hearts and look forward to his warm hug when it is our turn to go be with the Lord in heaven.
Ralph is survived by Ida, his devoted wife of 62 years. He is also survived by his daughter Connie Chandler and her husband Jerry of California, his son Paul and wife Jayne of Illinois, daughter Judy Engelhardt and husband Michael and grandsons Jonathan and David of Austin, and son Chris and wife Jeanette of Illinois, and sister Mary Lou also of Illinois.
Ralph's family wants to express their appreciation to his many caregivers and medical professionals who have cared for him over the past sixteen weeks, especially our "angel" Clara R. and Hospice Austin nurse Carol K.
A memorial service celebrating Ralph's life will be held Thursday July 26 at 10am at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Anderson Lane in Austin. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Austin or Redeemer Lutheran Church.