Ralph Emory Wuest, 95, of Oro Valley, AZ, passed away on August 19, 2023. He was born on August 19, 1928, in Chicago, IL. Ralph was a born storyteller. No matter what the subject was, he always had a story to go along with it. He was a patient man with a knack for always teaching you something new. He loved to tinker and fix and always had a solution for your problem, and probably a joke to go with it. He loved to travel and made it to all 50 states in his lifetime, most of them by car or RV, with his family. Every year he would drive all the way from Illinois to Arizona and then back again, until he was well into his 90's. Carol was always by his side. Their adventure together began in 1954, when they were married. Carol fondly described him as always having a sparkle in his eye. They were married for almost 70 years.

In addition to his wife Carol, Ralph is survived by his son, Steve Wuest (Mary), his daughter, Gayle Nance, and his grandchildren, Matthew Nance (Jessica), Mandi Chudzik (Derek), and Cara Neff (Ron). He was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Mara Nance, Maximus Nance, Ryker Nance, and Jameson Nance. Ralph was preceded in death by his mother, Florence Wuest, and his son, Daniel Wuest.

Ralph proudly served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1955. His military associations were a significant part of his life, and he carried the values and camaraderie he experienced during his service throughout his lifetime

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Ralph pursued a career as a Semi Driver. He spent many days on the road, and his grandchildren have fond memories of meeting him at his truck and eagerly pulling the horn. Ralph was a dedicated and hardworking family man, always putting his loved ones first.

In his leisure time, Ralph enjoyed fishing, traveling, reading, and solving crossword puzzles. He  loved tinkering with lawn mowers and small machines, and even rode a moped well into his 80s. Ralph's resourcefulness and ability to fix anything and everything were admired by all. He was a very loved man and rarely met a person that did not like him.

Private services will be held to honor Ralph's life and legacy. His love for storytelling, teaching, and problem-solving will be cherished and remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Ralph will be deeply missed but forever held in the hearts of his family and friends.

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