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Ralph C. Sauder

1927-2022

Posted

Ralph passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2022, after a brief illness.
Ralph was born in Peoria, Illinois on November 8, 1927, to Chris and Barbara Sauder. He was the youngest of seven siblings. In high school, Ralph met the love of his life on a blind date. He and Renna married in 1950 and had three daughters. He served in the Navy and following an honorable discharge, he returned to Peoria to complete his college education, earning a BBA in business from Bradley University.
In 1956, Ralph began his lifelong career as an industrial chemical salesperson with Brulin and Company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was hired in December, considered the least favorite month of the year for someone working on straight commission. Though he had no experience, 10 years later he achieved the rank of ‘Top Salesman of the Year.’ This feat was accomplished without the aid of Google, cell phones, navigation devices, or computers!
Armed with an amiable personality, energy, and determination Ralph built a foundation of financial security for himself and his family that was hard to beat. He followed Benjamin Franklin’s advice from the rebus “The Art of Making Money Plenty:” “Two simple rules well observed will do the business: 1st. Let honesty and labor be thy constant companions, 2nd. Spend one penny every day less than thy dear gains. Then shall thy pockets soon begin to thrive, thy creditors will never insult thee, nor want oppress, nor hunger bite, nor nakedness freeze thee.” He continued to top the company sales charts for 30 years, one year earning a new Cadillac for his achievements.
A devoted family man, the family enjoyed boating, sledding, dancing, picnics, games, travel, and family reunions. The couple hosted many parties at the Peoria home and were members of the Peoria Country Club. They loved to vacation at their Tantara resort condominium in the Lake of the Ozarks and Hawaii.
In 1982, Ralph and his wife moved to Sun City West where their days were filled with golf, tennis, riding bikes, theatre, and daily walks. They loved living in Sun City West and enjoyed creating new friendships. At one time his happy face graced the billboard welcoming visitors to Sun City. One of his proudest moments was the hole-in-one recorded at Trail Ridge Golf Course on the par three, 156-yard 12th hole using a five iron.
Ralph had a delightful sense of humor and always had a joke or story on hand. He could tell the same joke several times and it would be just as funny the second or third time around. He owned numerous household tools and could repair just about anything.
Ralph is survived by three daughters - Linda Howard, Beth Cook, and Lee Seekamp, ten grandchildren who live in Texas, and thirteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Renna. The family requests all memorial donations be sent to a charity of their choice. A memorial service will be held at a later date.