Ralph L. Keller, 69 of La Grange Park, IL and Sister Bay, WI, suddenly, on September 18, 2016 in Ephraim, WI. A native Chicagoan, Ralph attended Taft High School, Purdue University and received an MBA from University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He served in the Army as a battalion personnel sergeant and also became a licensed pilot and a PADI scuba instructor. Ralph started his professional career in manufacturing at Zenith Electronics and continued to advance to executive positions at several companies in the Midwest, the last with Actuant Corporation as VP of Operations. He became involved with Association for Manufacturing Excellence as a member and volunteer for over 20 years and eventually became President of the organization before retirement. After he retired, he remained an active board member of the Alliance for Industry and Manufacturing. As a member of the Friends of Ephraim-Gibralter Airport, Ralph also volunteered to fly students during the EAA Young Eagle Flying program where it was his passion to encourage young people to take an interest in all areas of aviation. Ralph is survived by his wife of 39 years, Barbara J. Keller, nee Lockery; daughter Jillian (Mark) Dryfoos; granddaughter Emma Dryfoos; his mother Lois Grossen; and his constant canine companion Edward; He is predeceased by his father Clifford Keller; his brother Ford; his sister Virginia; daughter Mary Jane and granddaughter Quinn Lockery Dryfoos. Visitation, Thursday, October 13, 2016, 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. Interment Private Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Information 708-485- 2000 or
www.HitzemanFuneral.com.
