Ralph Peter Gutzler

Ralph Peter Gutzler, 82, was received into the hands of God on January 8th, 2018, as a result of congestive heart failure. Ralph was born October 27th, 1935, in Chicago, IL. In his early years, Ralph lived in Kirkland, Washington, where he graduated from Lake Washington High School and the University of Washington. On September 14, 1957, he married Gail Plaut, with whom he shared his life until her death in 2015. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, most notably with the Hurricane Hunter squadron in the early 1960’s. He retired from the Navy in 1977 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander and subsequently served with the U.S. Postal Service until retiring in 1998. In his spare time, he played viola, supported the local symphonies, and traveled to several continents. He was mechanically inclined and loved woodworking in his shop at home. He enjoyed fixing things for family and friends. He loved his Great Danes, or ‘real dogs’, as he liked to say. He is survived by his three sons: Norman (and wife Christine) of Charlottesville, VA; Jay (and wife Natalie) of Frisco, TX; Victor (and wife Fay) of Grand Prairie, TX; and seven grandchildren. A memorial service will be held privately with family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local SPCA. Interment will be at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Cedar Hill, TX. Service at National Cemetery pending.