Lt. Colonel George Ralph Wisser, Jr. (Ret)

Lt. Colonel George Ralph Wisser Jr. (Ret)

   Huntsville, Al.--Lt. Colonel George Ralph Wisser Jr. (Ret), 71, died on September 21, 2017 at Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, AL with his siblings by his side.  He was born in McKeesport, PA on July 13,1946 to George and Winnie Jean (Lafferty) Wisser.  Ralph’s mother preceded him in death in 1993.  His 94 year old father resides in Ottawa, OH.  He has three siblings: Paul (Marsha) Wisser, Avon Lake, OH, Mollie (Doug) Kennard, Martinsburg, WV, and Nancy (Mike) Kaufman, Ottawa, OH.

   Ralph graduated from Cameron County High School in Emporium, PA in 1964.  He remained loyal to Cameron County until his death.  After graduating from Bucknell University with a degree in physics, he moved to Ottawa and worked for Sylvania for one year. While at Bucknell he enrolled in the Army ROTC program and eventually made the Army his career retiring as a Lt. Colonel.  He served in the Vietnam Conflict and was also stationed in Germany, Ft. Sill, OK and Ft. Campbell, KY.

   Ralph was involved in rugby, scuba diving, bowling and skiing.  He loved growing roses and was an avid reader.  He was a member of the Huntsville Ski Club. Ralph was a huge fan of the Pittsburgh STEELERS and the University of Tennessee.  

   Ralph had a deep love for his eight nieces and nephews:  Kevin Wisser, Kori Frenk, Joel Kennard, Kathryn Guthrie, Sara Kight, Leigh Kaufman, Allison Kaufman and Jeff Kaufman.   He affectionately called them his “Gang of Eight."  He had ten great nieces and nephews as well.  As an incentive for continued education Ralph offered a college education scholarship to the nieces and nephews. He also gifted them a honeymoon trip when they got married.  

   A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Ottawa Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, OH with Rev. Ben Shaw officiating.  Burial will be at a later date in Harman Cemetery, Gilboa, OH.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church.  There will be military rites by the Ottawa VFW, American Legion and the AMVETS.

   The family suggests any donation in his memory be made to the American Liver Foundation or the American Lung Foundation.  Condolences may be sent to the family at 606 Marbrook Lane, Avon Lake, OH 44012 or online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

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