Lacombe family-------I worked for Ralph and Al at the "agency"..............Both were great men and I appreciate all I learned from them.......my sympathies to the family and many friends...............Paul Port
Paul Port
March 9, 2015
Ralph will be greatly missed. He was truly a great Optimist. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Past Governor Duane Krob. (and Mydge)
February 27, 2015
We only knew Ralph a short time but He was a true gentleman and I am sure he will be missed by many.
Condolences to his family.
Wanda McAlilster and Arbor Place Staff
February 25, 2015
I am a member of New Horizons Band and play clarinet. I sat a few chairs away from Ralph while he was in the band. He is the best clarinetist that I have ever been associated with. I especially loved hearing him play Dixieland in a song that we performed a few years ago. He was greatly missed when he couldn't come anymore. He was the best!
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. May you find strength and comfort in your time of loss.
Pat Turner
Pat Turner
February 25, 2015
Ralph will be greatly missed. He was truly a great Optimist. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Past Governor Duane Krob. (and Mydge)
February 24, 2015
Dear Laura and Lee,
We were so sad to hear of Ralph's passing. At last, he is at peace and free of pain and with his beloved Wanita. After joining Lambda Chi Alpha Fraterity in Sept 1949 where Ralph was the President, he and I became such good friends he asked me to be his best man. So having known Ralph and Wanita for the past 65 years, I can attest to what a wonderful couple they were. Friendly, kind, funny, helpful and a joy to know and spend time with. We feel so blessed for having known them. I know you miss them terribly.
Ted and Arlene Dahlfors
February 24, 2015
You have my deepest sympathy at the death of your father. It was my pleasure and honor to serve with Ralph and Wanita on Coe's Heritage Club steering committee for several years. Always genuine and positive in outlook, Ralph sought to involve more alumni/ae in Coe's future. I will miss seeing and speaking with him. He was a blessing to everyone.
Michele Scott
February 24, 2015
Ralph will be greatly missed. He was truly a great Optimist. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Past Governor Duane Krob. (and Mydge)
February 23, 2015
Dear Laura and Lee and family,
I will be praying for you in the loss of your dad and of your mother, too, both of whom were such very good friends of my parents, Willard and Marge Verba. The four of them shared so many great times at Optimist events, and just being together at other times. My parents are gone now, so perhaps they are having a wonderful meeting together. Veryl Hansen called me last night to tell me the news of Ralph's passing, and I am sending my sympathies to you. I will not be at the services, but will be thinking about you on Thursday. Fondly, Sue
Sue Verba Ahrens
February 23, 2015
We have lost a valued friend in Ralph. Our only solace is the fact that He is now with his Wanita. We spent the last
four years in the company of the LaCombes as neighbors. We shared many hours in the late afternoon with
refreshment and discussion of the day. We shared years before being neighbors but as traveling companions covering from Iowa and the US to Europe and river cruising. Both Ralph and Wanita were very close to family that was close by and spent many hours celebrating holidays. Ralph and I were just getting started getting acquainted on the raquetball ball court when we had to quit - years were catching us. We turned to golf - we had a few good
years with that. Perhaps we'll meet again!!
David Crew
February 23, 2015
Dear LaCombe Family, I was saddened to learn of the loss of your father. My parents Richard and Dorothy Taylor could not have asked for better neighbors then Ralph and Wanita on Ridgemore Drive. My mother always enjoyed hearing Ralph playing his music. I know how proud they were of their children and grandchildren as I often heard them speak their names. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Marie Taylor Tarr
February 23, 2015
Dear Laura and Lee,
We were so sad to hear of Ralph's passing. At last, he is at peace and free of pain and with his beloved Wanita. After joining Lambda Chi Alpha Fraterity in Sept 1949 where Ralph was the President, he and I became such good friends he asked me to be his best man. So having known Ralph and Wanita for the past 65 years, I can attest to what a wonderful couple they were. Friendly, kind, funny, helpful and a joy to know and spend time with. We feel so blessed for having known them. I know you miss them terribly.
Ted and Arlene Dahlfors
February 23, 2015
My condolences to the LaCombe family. I worked with Ralph on the advertising for Lloyd Table Co. in the early 90s. I always enjoyed his joking manner and his smile, Always upbeat,and he would never tell me his age. Once again Sorry for loss.
Bill Stewart
February 23, 2015
Our sympathies are with Laura, Lee and their families at this time. Your dear one, no doubt, missed his mate and now they are both at home with The Lord. Ralph and Wanita were nice friends of my parents, Bob & Carol Powell. They worshipped together at Central Park Presbyterian Church for many years. Lately, my mother enjoyed seeing them at band concerts. We will all surely miss them.
Nancy (Powell) Sadler
Carol Powell
Nancy Sadler
February 22, 2015
Our prayers are with Ralph's family....he was a good Optimist friend and we will miss him. Past Ia. District
Optimist Governor E. Ted Baker
E. Ted and Kathy Baker
February 22, 2015
Ralph and Wantagh will be greatly missed by many Optimists throughout the Country. Blessings are wished upon their families and friends.
Dennis McGregor & Cathy Campbell
February 22, 2015
Our sincere sympathies to the family of Ralph LaCombe...he, of course. was our Optimist "oldest living past governor" of the Iowa District...we'll continue thinking of you. Another "past governor" of the Iowa District..
E. Ted & Kathy Baker
E. Ted & Kathy Baker
February 22, 2015
Our deepest sympathy . We always enjoyed visiting with your father/grandfather, Ralph and Wanita at our Optimist events. We will miss them both. Past Optimist Governors Dale and Barb.
Barb & Dale Robertson
February 22, 2015
Laura and Family, Though our hearts are saddened by the loss of your Father, we know that he has now joined his beloved Wanita once again. They were certainly loved by their Deerridge Family and will be truly missed. Blessings and Hugs from MaryLe, Ted and Sadie Smyth
Mary Le and Ted Smyth
February 21, 2015