Kunze, Ralph C.

Ralph C. Kunze, age 95, of Toledo, passed away peacefully, Sunday, September 26, 2021. He was born on October 31, 1925, in Buffalo, NY to the late Bruno and Esther (Graubman) Kunze. He graduated from Riverside High School in Buffalo following service in the United States Navy during World War II. He then graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1950 with a marketing degree and began a successful career in the Savings and Loan industry as a teller, working his way into management with the Mt. Lookout Savings and Loan in Cincinnati from 1951-63; Vice-president and later President, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board at Buckeye Federal S&L in Columbus from 1963-77; President, CEO and Board Member of Gate City S&L in Fargo, ND from 1977-81; and President, CEO and Board Member of United Home Federal in Toledo from 1981-1991. He was many times sought after as a speaker, moderator or panel member by several Savings and Loan Association events. He also completed post graduate work at the Universities of Indiana and Southern California. Ralph offered his unique leadership ability to his community, serving as a member, president and chairman of numerous organizations and their Boards of Directors including the Toledo Neighborhood Housing Services, United Way, Ohio Society to Prevent Blindness, Personnel Societies, Columbus Metropolitan YMCA, Chambers of Commerce, Toledo Zoological Society and St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Foundation. He was recognized as “Boss of the Year” in 1976 by the American Businesswomen’s Association and listed in the “Who’s Who of Finance and Industry in the Midwest, America and the World. Ralph found a spiritual home at Hope Lutheran Church in Ottawa Hills, where he was past president of the church council. He was also active in the Toledo Masonic community as member of Damascus-collingwood

Lodge #643 F&AM, Scottish Rite, and Zenobia Shrine. Ralph also enjoyed

fishing, playing golf, coin

collecting, held a private pilot’s license, and was an avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Helen on October 1, 2020, son Michael, and sister Doris Schopp. Surviving are his children, Brad Kunze, Scott Sutton (Shelly), Jim Kunze (Pensi), Diane Kunze Cowgill (Doug), Wendy Sutton Meyers (Jon); grandchildren, Rudy, Jack, and Henry Meyers, Kaar Sutton, Jon Kunze (Tera), Josh and Joel Cowgill, Dawee Dodson, Duranee Dodson, Dutee Dodson, Dawnee Dodson-williams; and great grandchildren, Ava and Aiden Kunze, Lily (Levan) Powers and Lauryn Levan, Brodee Dodson, Emma Dodson, Grayson Dodson, Asa Jane Dodson-williams and Abigail Dodson-williams. He will be privately laid to rest at the Ashland County Memorial Park. Memorial service will be held at 11am Friday, October 1, 2021, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2201 Secor Rd., Toledo, OH 43606. Contributions, in lieu of

flowers, in Ralph’s name

are suggested to the Toledo Zoo. walkerfuneralhomes. com