Ralph Zuleeg

Ralph Zuleeg, who passed away in the early morning hours of March 14, was not ready to go. He and his beloved wife, Andrea Kannegieser had just booked a cruise to Mexico. He did love to travel, especially with his wife.
Ralph loved his family and leaves behind a brother, Bob (Charlene) Zuleeg; nephew, Doug (DeeDee) Zuleeg; great nieces, Kurbi (Kyle) Sharp and Kirsten Zuleeg; a niece, Lynn (Tom) Messina; great nieces, Michelle (Chris) Yates and Lori Zuleeg; father-in-law, Andy (Lucy) Kannegieser; brother-in-law, John (Belinda) Kannegieser; great nieces, Allison (Devin) Taylor and daughter, Jazmyne, Ashley Kannegieser (Dago Rodriguez), Heather (Dustin) Gobble and daughters Riley and Regan and great nephew, Hobie (Sage) Kannegieser and daughter Georgia.
While he was born in Pittsburgh, PA, September 4, 1943 he grew up in Vestal, NY. He enjoyed his years in the band with his friend Burt and graduated from Vestal High School in 1961. He received his undergraduate degree in music education from Hartwick College in Oneonta NY and his masters in in education from the University of South Carolina.
Ralph always said that joining the US Air Force was the best decision he ever made. It allowed him to travel and experience the culture and meet the people of other countries. He served his country with distinction for 20 years. His final assignment was at Keesler Air Force Base where he worked from 1981 until his retirement in 1994. He started as Maintenance Control officer and was responsible for all maintenance on the 7 C130H's (hurricane hunter planes). At that time, they only flew the storm missions. They worked long hours and spent a lot of time bumping around various Caribbean islands during the storm season. He was later promoted to Wing Deputy Commander for Maintenance of the 403rd. In this duty, he was responsible for all maintenance performed on the Air Force Reserve Rescue, Recovery and Storm Reconnaissance assets "almost 40 aircraft from coast to coast." During his career, he was stationed at Cannon AFB in New Mexico, Clark AFB in the Philippines, Soc Trang Vietnam, Shaw AFB in South Carolina and Upper Heyford England.
He was passionate about the United States, Ronald Reagan and the U.S. constitution. Ralph definitely believed in "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for all people. Ralph was a member of the Pass Christian VFW.
Although he spent much of his time in the Air Force, he acquired a love for the Gulf Coast and the water. During this time in MS, he owned several sail boats and even lived aboard one for a few years.
Part of Ralph's pursuit of happiness revolved around dancing and being a Parrot Head (a real Jimmy Buffet fan). His love of dancing took off when he found Duo Dance in Pascagoula (thank you, Lynae). He took lessons and performed publicly whenever he could. He was such a "performer."
Ralph relished adventure. He had 30 plus trips to Costa Rica. On one trip, he and his buddy Marlin actually drove to Costa Rica in his "Trooper" from Mississippi. He really loved his "Tico" family and the Costa Rica Language Academy and Latin Dance School. He was a scuba diver and white water rafter and he loved to sail. He tried zip lines and mountain hikes and for his 65th birthday "he jumped out of a perfectly good plane."
It was dancing where he found the love of his life, Andrea. In Andrea, he found his "Smart Woman (in a real short skirt)." Their honeymoon was in Buenos Aires, home of the tango. They just kept traveling after that: Costa Rica, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, Uruguay, and Germany, Austria, Hungary. They continued traveling even when Ralph was diagnosed with Parkinson's and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Even though he had had chemotherapy and had to use a walker, he traveled to family weddings in Orlando Florida, Stevensville Michigan and Fort Lauderdale Florida. He could not miss them. He unfortunately was unable to attend our last family wedding in Kentucky.
Friendships were extremely important to Ralph. He tended close relationships like a devoted gardener. He kept in touch regularly regardless of distance or time apart. He considered himself fortunate to have had a number of very close friends over the years. You know who you are folks. An extrovert, Ralph never met a stranger and he always wore a big smile. He invited people he met to smile and laugh at his silly jokes and magic tricks. He would often just "burst into song" to the delight of his friends and family (and to one particular Brazilian cab driver).
Ralph cared about the well-being of others. He delivered meals for Feed My Sheep, drove as a courier for the South Mississippi Regional Center after hurricane Katrina and really enjoyed volunteering at the USO Gulf Coast Lounge at the Gulfport/Biloxi Airport, where he enjoyed visiting with incoming and outgoing service men and women. With Andrea, he was a very active member of the Parkinson's Support Group (at Beauvoir Methodist Church in Biloxi).
Ralph was born September 4, 1943 and died March 14, 2017. He died from complications caused by Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at the age of 73.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Memorial Hospital of Gulfport staff. Dr. Thomas Blanks, (you are a gifted internist and have seen Ralph through many a challenge for 30 plus years. Ralph considered you a true friend and always felt confident after seeing you); thank you nurses Jamie and Jenny (he loved you); Dr. Matthew Varner, (you walked us to the edge of time together with compassion, dignity and humor); nurses Julie and Kerri (thank you). The same gratitude goes to University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Center in Mobile. Dr. Thomas Butler, (we are family, you guided us through many obstacles with your expertise, faith and love. Thank you for helping Ralph live 9 years beyond his initial diagnosis): nurses Ashley, Troy and tech Bobbie (thank you).
Special thanks to our Unity family. We appreciate your love and support. We could always depend on you. Reverend Eunice introduced us to Unity principals, performed our wedding ceremony and helped us develop a strong foundation for our marriage. The Unity torch was passed to Reverend Judy after property was located and a church was built in Gulfport. Reverend Judy has been a solid advisor, friend and spiritual guide. She always allowed Ralph to ask the "hard questions." She was and is a comfort. She assisted and comforted Ralph during the last stages of his life. This is how he would have wanted it. Thank you for all of your demonstrations of "love."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the USO Gulf Coast Lounge, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, the Mitchell Cancer Center at the University of South Alabama and the Unity Church of Gulfport.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, March 30th at 6 PM at Unity Church of Gulfport. The family will be receiving Friends from 5:00 PM until the service. A Graveside Service will be held at the Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 10 AM. Family and friends are invited for refreshments following at Unity Church of Gulfport.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 9113 Kiln-DeLisle Road, Pass Christian is serving the family.
Memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com.