Obenchain, Ralph Riley Jr.

Of Woodstock, IL., on November 30, 2014, at the age of 87. Dearly loved husband of J. Elaine Obenchain for 57 wonderful years. Adored father of Ralph Riley Obenchain III, Edith Obenchain (James), Samuel Obenchain (Denise), and Valerie McLeer, all of Woodstock, and Abigail Obenchain (William Cole) of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Cherished grandfather of Mason and Avery Cole, Jax and Eli Obenchain (known to his grandfather as "Joe"), Krista and Sammy Obenchain, and Milo and Skyler McLeer. Beloved brother of Gloria O. Russell of Kansas City, KS, and Nancy Obenchain of Rogers, AR, and son of the late Ralph Obenchain Sr. and Mabel S. Obenchain.
Ralph was born on August 5, 1927 and grew up in Evanston, spending many happy hours with the Evanston YMCA Franklin Club boys and attending Evanston Township High School. He was on the ETHS golf team and was the 3-cushion billiard champion at Harry's Pool Hall in Skokie. He attended Northwestern University for a short time but then went into the work world, including stints selling menswear and National cash registers. In 1955 he became a stock broker, a career that spanned more than 50 years, working for firms such as the Chicago Corporation and Rodman and Renshaw on LaSalle St. in Chicago. He retired in 2008 at the age of 81.

Ralph and Elaine married in 1957, and they raised their family in Wilmette, living in the historic Victorian mansion known as the Gage House from 1966 to 1980, where they were known for their collection of player pianos and nickelodeons. For the last 34 years they have lived happily on a 13-acre hobby farm north of Woodstock, at various times raising beef calves and horses and growing fruits and vegetables. His greatest legacy to his children and grandchildren was a love for the outdoors, which he fostered with the gift of two cottages, both near Three Lakes, WI, from 1969-1982 and 2005 to the present.

Ralph was a true Renaissance man, one who was interested in everything and was never bored. He could catch monster muskies, fell massive elm and oak trees, lay cement, repair and refinish antique furniture, and cane chairs. He had a broad knowledge of history and the arts, especially classical music, and was a founding member of the Mozart Society in Woodstock as well as the Paradise Point Pickerel Club. At the age of 77 he did The Twist on stage with Chubby Checker. Ralph had an impact on everyone he met: He could walk into a room with 100 strangers and walk out with 99 new friends. He had wonderful friendships with all sorts of people, from captains of industry to restaurant servers. A brilliant star has been extinguished, but his light will live on in our memories. 

Visitation will be 10 am-noon on Saturday, December 6 at Schneider Leucht Merwin Cooney Funeral Home at 1211 North Seminary Avenue in Woodstock. Service at noon at the same location. 

In lieu of flowers, Ralph's family requests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, https://www.michaeljfox.org/.