Ralph Clinton Muenchau
November 26, 1936 – February 19, 2016
Ralph Muenchau, age 79, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He was a Colorado Springs resident since 1966.
Ralph was born November 26, 1936 in Waverly, Nebraska to Daniel and Jessie (Bucknell) Muenchau. He met Joann at CSU in Fort Collins where they were both students. Ralph went into the U.S. Army in September 1959 and married Joann December 27, 1959. He was sent to Augsburg, Germany where their daughter, Barbara Lynne, was born.
After returning from Germany, he and his family lived in Loveland and Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1962 Ralph moved his family to Chicago so that he could attend school at DeVry Technical Institute where he earned an Associate in Applied Science and Electronic Engineering Technology Degree. After graduating he took a position with General Electric in Phoenix, Arizona. Colorado was home so he returned to Colorado Springs in 1966 to work for Hewlett Packard.
He worked for Honeywell and several other electronic companies but also ventured out into other opportunities such as owning an ice plant, building houses, partners in a gold mine, and driving school buses. He was always a hard worker and did whatever was needed to take care of his family, including earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business while working full time. He received his diploma from UCCS May 21, 1985.
He was very outgoing and friendly and always eager to help others in any way he could. Strangers were only people he hadn’t met yet. He would start a conversation with anyone who would listen. He will be greatly missed by his family and everyone who knew him.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joann Muenchau; his daughter, Barbie (John) Archer; and grandson, Ryan Archer. Also his sister, Bonnie (Bud) White, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Melissa Chapel, 2750 Melissa Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Melissa Chapel. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery.