Obituary Overview
Ralph Carl Wirsig
Ralph Wirsig
Died peacefully in Kingston on March 17, surrounded by his family: wife of 56 years, Kathryn, children Jay (Margo), Susan (Scott Gibbard) and grandchildren Emma, Kate, Heidi and Grace Wirsig, and Sydney, Molly and Max Gibbard. He also leaves brother Horst, sisters Wally (Roy), Gertie and Sieglinde (John), sister-in-law Ann Wirsig, brother-in-law Douglas McQueen (Mary) and 18 nieces and nephews.
He was born August 19, 1937, in the Pas, MB, to Oscar and Frida. The family moved to a farm near Sundre, AB, and then to a sawmill operation in Gray Creek, BC, before Ralph went off to study mechanical engineering at the University of Alberta. After graduating in 1960, he took job at DuPont of Canada in Kingston, where he met Kathryn. They married in 1962 and Jay and Susan were born soon after.
Ralph had a legendary work ethic. A lifelong learner and prolific inventor, he authored many patents at DuPont, where he retired as senior research scientist in 1996. He and Kathryn then designed and moved to their dream house on Buck Lake and he launched a company to sell his own, patented inventions, the Kayaarm and the Kayaleg, essential devices for avoiding spills when getting in and out of a kayak. He also built a nesting platform on the lake and became surrogate nest father to generations of loons.
Ralph’s most cherished life project was finding ways to have fun with his children and grandchildren. His ingenuity, athleticism and boundless energy allowed him to keep up with them right to the last week of his life, skiing in Vermont. He built a tree fort to give the grandkids a place to play on their own but didn’t pass up a chance to join them in a wide variety of winter and summer sports, dancing, card games, or to pick wild berries to make sundaes with cream. Ralph leaves a rich legacy. He is deeply missed.
A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held Thursday March 29 from 4 to 6pm at The Opinicon Lodge, 1697 Chaffeys Lock Road, Elgin.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ralph Carl Wirsig 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Kingston, Province: Ontario