Obituary for Ralph W. Buelow
Ralph W Buelow died on April 16, 2019 at age 95. He was born in Waconia. MN on April 15, 1924 to Benjamin W and Louella Hendricks Buelow. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Earl B Buelow. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Emma Neimann Buelow and his sister, Marian Berg of Bemidji, MN. Also he leaves behind his children: Thomas W Buelow and wife, Ellen G Buelow; Nancy B Hayes and husband, Thomas C Hayes; and Gary P Buelow and wife, Mafi Buelow. Additionally, Ralph and Emma have 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Ralphs work began early, thinning sugar beets when in junior high. This led to an abundance of yard work during the summer and his love of gardening and knowledge of plants. He was an avid gardener throughout his life. After high school, he machined parts for B-17 bombers and became an airplane mechanic during World War II. After the service, the worked 6 years in the family service station. Ralph and Emma were married December 21, 1947. Several years later, they moved to Georgia. Ralph spent two years in electrical maintenance at an Atlanta steel mill. After learning to survey, he spent days surveying land and working with the Georgia Highway Right of Way Dept. During this time he also began night school at Georgia Tech at the age of 31. Ralph earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 1960 and a Masters Degree in Sanitary Engineering the following year.
Following graduation, he joined the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. This led to two years doing water pollution control surveys and reports in Atlanta. Two years on sanitary facilities for the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina followed. He then had three years at the Rhode Island Shellfish Laboratory and ended his career with twelve years at the National Water Supply Research Center in Cincinnati.
Ralph and Emma retired to Murphy, NC in 1980. After building a geodesic dome home, he became more involved once again in church and volunteer work. He made weekly visits to residents of the local nursing home for over 30 years. He gardened extensively and had a hillside boasting 100 blueberry bushes which fed many a friend and neighbor. Ralph and Emma moved back to Cincinnati at age 90.
A memorial service will be held for Ralph on May 10 at 3:00 at Anderson Hills United Methodist Church in the chapel. A reception will follow immediately at the church. The church is located at 7515 Forest Road, Cincinnati, OH.
Ralphs work began early, thinning sugar beets when in junior high. This led to an abundance of yard work during the summer and his love of gardening and knowledge of plants. He was an avid gardener throughout his life. After high school, he machined parts for B-17 bombers and became an airplane mechanic during World War II. After the service, the worked 6 years in the family service station. Ralph and Emma were married December 21, 1947. Several years later, they moved to Georgia. Ralph spent two years in electrical maintenance at an Atlanta steel mill. After learning to survey, he spent days surveying land and working with the Georgia Highway Right of Way Dept. During this time he also began night school at Georgia Tech at the age of 31. Ralph earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 1960 and a Masters Degree in Sanitary Engineering the following year.
Following graduation, he joined the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. This led to two years doing water pollution control surveys and reports in Atlanta. Two years on sanitary facilities for the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina followed. He then had three years at the Rhode Island Shellfish Laboratory and ended his career with twelve years at the National Water Supply Research Center in Cincinnati.
Ralph and Emma retired to Murphy, NC in 1980. After building a geodesic dome home, he became more involved once again in church and volunteer work. He made weekly visits to residents of the local nursing home for over 30 years. He gardened extensively and had a hillside boasting 100 blueberry bushes which fed many a friend and neighbor. Ralph and Emma moved back to Cincinnati at age 90.
A memorial service will be held for Ralph on May 10 at 3:00 at Anderson Hills United Methodist Church in the chapel. A reception will follow immediately at the church. The church is located at 7515 Forest Road, Cincinnati, OH.