Ralph Frank Kammermeier, 83

Sept. 10, 1937 – Dec. 8, 2020

Ralph Frank Kammermeier passed away peacefully Dec. 8, 2020, at the age of 83, surrounded by his wife, Maureen, his children and his grandchildren. 

Son of the late Frank and Anna (Gerd-To-Berens) Kammermeier, Ralph was raised in Chicago, graduated from Saint Mel’s High School in 1955, and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a mechanical engineering degree in 1959. April 27, 1963, he married Mary (Maureen) Teresa Hopkins, his wife of 57 years.

He started his 28-year career as a mechanical engineer at Evans Products and advanced to plant manager of three locations, leading 500 employees. In 1985, he purchased Woodstock Lumber, which became his labor of love for the next 35 years. In that time, he created numerous skilled jobs and became a leader of the small business community and was beloved by his business neighbors and loyal customers. He was seen six days a week with his yellow tape measure suspenders and a smile on his face.

Together, Ralph and Maureen raised their six children in Woodstock, Ill. As a devoted husband and father, he took an active role in activities at St. Mary Catholic School and Marian Central Catholic High School. He loved traveling the country with his children in the pop-up camper. His summers were spent swimming, sailing, and boating in Lake Geneva. He savored his afternoons floating with his noddle while watching his grandchildren enjoy the lake. Sundays were spent in lively conversation with his family and neighbors.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Maureen; his two sisters, Rosemary Mondi of Roswell, Ga., and Regina Darda of Clinton, Iowa; and his six children, Michelle (Peter) Hedlin of Woodstock; Linette (Geoff) Van Flandern of Wellesley, Mass., Mark (Mary) Kammermeier of Lake Geneva, Wis., Renee (Rusty) Hopp of Spring Grove, Ill., Dione (Brian) Ross of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Carl (Valerie) Kammermeier of Venice, Fla. In addition, Ralph has 18 much-loved grandchildren; Erika, Danielle, and Lauren Hedlin, Elizabeth, Erin, Claire, and Michael Van Flandern, Katherine and Jack Kammermeier, Johnathan, Katelyn, and Brian Hopp, Morgan, Peyton, and Amada Ross, and Cole and Kella Kammermeier. Ralph is preceded in death by his grandchildren Erin Marie VanFlandern and Gretchen Kammermeier.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11A.M., Saturday, Dec. 19, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave., in Woodstock. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County, P.O. Box 1166 McHenry, IL 60051, or Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, 785 Centre St., Newton, MA 02458, for the Erin Marie Van Flandern Scholarship Fund. 

Online condolences can be made at slmcfh.com.