Obituary of Ralph Kenneth Hennig

                                                  

Ralph Kenneth Hennig

 

Born:  July 7, 1938 – Chicago, IL

Died:  April 29, 2023 – Tualatin, OR

 

 

Ralph was the second child born to his parents Joseph & Gertrude Hennig.  The family (including his older brother Joseph “Bud”) moved to Seattle following WWII.  His sister Elaine became part of the family when she was adopted in infancy.

 

Ralph attended Seattle public schools and graduated from Franklin High School in 1956.  Following graduation, he entered military service by way of the Army Reserves and served until being discharged in 1964.

 

Following 6 months active military service, Ralph began an apprenticeship program with The Boeing Company in aviation mechanics which required FAA certification for the inspection & maintenance of aircraft engines, landing gear, brakes, etc.  Over the next 38 years he worked in many different areas within Boeing, starting as a mechanic on the flight line and concluding as a cost estimator with the Propulsion Systems Division.  One of his favorite and most memorable places to work within the Boeing organization was the Wind Tunnel, where model airplanes were built & then either tested

on-site or at the local University of Washington wind tunnel, or at other available tunnels across the country. 

 

On April 11, 1964, Ralph married Denise Fraki & they celebrated 59 years of marriage.  He became a father on June 14, 1970, when his daughter Jennifer was born.

 

While  employed, he attended classes for two years at the local community college.  He was an avid reader, especially anything having to do with history – of the U.S. or the world.

 

At one point in his life, Ralph was a very committed runner, running numerous 10Ks & several marathons and putting in hours “on the road” preparing for those events.  Also, as a young adult, he started playing golf and thoroughly enjoyed the game.

 

Being raised in Seattle, Ralph was an enthusiastic follower (and defender) of Husky football.  Schedules were arranged, and not altered, around Saturday TV game time.  He was a faithful fan through all football seasons over the years – discouraged/dismayed during those seasons when play was less than stellar, and joyous when everything came together & proved that the University of Washington Huskies were truly championship material.

 

Rather unexpectedly at age 57, The Boeing Company made Ralph “an offer he couldn't refuse” when, for the first time, the company decided to downsize by offering a “golden handshake” to those employees within a certain age group.  Since he was within that age group, in 1995 he became a Boeing retiree.

 

As his body aged, Ralph became less interested in running, & golf became more important.  Thus, the need to find appropriate housing on a course that provided easy access was foremost on his mind.  So, for the past 18 years, golf course living has provided him with the opportunity to play with easy access, weather permitting, of course.

In 2016, at the encouragement of daughter, Jennifer, the move from Washington to Oregon was accomplished.  Moving into the Summerfield 55+ community in Tigard has proven to be an excellent choice, with the men's golf club for Ralph & the many wonderful friends & neighbors.

 

Ralph enjoyed spending time with his family.  He was always an involved father & grandfather.  He attended many sporting events and activities for Curtis, Nicole & Maggie.  In their 59 years of marriage, Ralph & Denise enjoyed daily walks, traveling, and eating out. - Ralph had the uncanny ability to remember restaurants visited many years in the past, along with specific menu items that he particularly enjoyed.  He had an appreciation for good food & never paid a price by adding pounds to his slender frame.

 

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bud and sister Elaine Risk.

Ralph is survived by:  wife Denise; daughter Jennifer Posner; son-in-law Jeff Posner: granddaughter Maggie Posner; and by Curtis & Nicole Posner (special relationship established when Jennifer married Jeff).

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's memory suggested to either Living Savior Lutheran Church (8740 SW Sagert St., Tualatin, OR 97062) or Paralyzed Veterans of America.  For memorial service information please contact the family.