Ralph Clemans
Ralph Clemans, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. He was born Aug. 22, 1936, to Dr. Chas and Catherine Clemans in Oshkosh, Wis.
He attended the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and Centenary College in Shreveport, La. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 through 1958, acquiring a top secret clearance while working in the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. Trained as a small-arms instructor, he competed in many state pistol tournaments and in the national matches in Camp Perry, Ohio, winning more than 400 trophies and awards.
He had three major full-time jobs — a stock broker, a general manger for Fleetwood Ent Manufacturing and as owner of a real estate company in Wisconsin. His lifelong hobby was sailing in his 36-foot Lancer sailboat.
He retired in 2000 and moved to Ajijic, Mexico, where he lived for four years, returning to the U.S. and moving to Bella Vista, Ark., in 2004. He loved tennis because it brought him the best friends of his entire life. He was active in the Bella Vista Tennis Club as a member and past officer.
He is a lifelong Catholic but also attended the Bella Vista Community Church where he loved mingling with many of Bella Vista tennis playing members and enjoyed the sermons of Pastor Jeff Reed.
He found a special cause where he felt he could really make a difference as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, assisting children through the legal system after they were removed from their unacceptable home situations.
He was a member of the Elks and American Legion.
He is survived by his wife of eight years, Rita Jean; his children, Carmen of North Carolina, Charles of Bella Vista, Christopher of Harrisburg, Pa.; stepchildren, Dena Salinas and husband Joel of Redding, Calif., Richard Lamphere and wife Tracy of Rancho Palo Verdes, Calif.; a brother, Roy and wife Mimi of Folsom, Calif.; a sister, Carmen Lange and husband Walt of Carmichael, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Millie Stroebel of Sacramento, Calif.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at Bella Vista Community Church, 75 E. Lancashire Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. A reception will follow the service in McKay Hall.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Circle of Life Hospice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeral mation.com.