Ralph Bernard Westerman, 55, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospital in Wichita from complications of double pneumonia. Ralph was born Feb. 23, 1959, in Denver, Colo., the son of Eugene and Virginia (Heiman) Westerman.
In 1963, the family moved to a farm west of Piqua. Ralph attended local schools in Piqua, Yates Center and Iola where he graduated from high school.
He then graduated from Allen County Community College and Pittsburg State University with a bachelor of science degree. In 1993, he received his doctor of philosophy degree with emphasis in pathology and microbiology. Ralph worked in research at the KSU Veterinary School, Arizona State University and in Hastings, Neb., before returning to work at KSU in Manhattan.
Ralph was a member of the Piqua Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fisherman and currently holds the state record for the largest American eel caught in Kansas. He was a lover of animals and nature and a favorite pastime was searching for arrowheads and Indian artifacts.
He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene, his grandparents and numerous relatives.
Ralph is survived by his mother, Virginia Westerman of Piqua, and two sisters, Jenifer (Kenny) Smail, Piqua, and Vicki Audley (Randy Boman), Wichita.
Cremation has taken place. A Rosary will be recited at St. Martin’s Church, Piqua, at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017, with a memorial mass following at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at a later date.
Dr. Ralph Westerman
