Westfall, Ralph L.
Ralph L. Westfall passed away on October 25, 2022, of natural causes at the age of 104 at Westminster Place in Evanston, Illinois where he had resided for the last twenty-four years. Ralph lived a long life with
many years of happiness. He moved to Evanston in 1949 and with his wife, Charlotte, raised a family and was an active member of the community. His love of company and conversation led to many enduring friendships. He was known for his avid interest in bridge; love of travel; long association
with both UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) and Northwestern University; support of education; golf and tennis enthusiasm; and love of his family.
Ralph was born in Fort Collins, Colorado on December 21, 1917 to Alfred and Dorothy Mae Westfall. He achieved his Bachelor of Science (BS) degree at Colorado State University in 1939; Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Northwestern University in 1941 and PhD at Northwestern University in 1952.
Ralph served in the Army from 1941-45 in the Pacific theater during WWII. He retired from the Army Reserve in 1977 with rank of Colonel, having received the awards of Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with battle stars for Solomon Islands and Philippines; Philippine Liberation ribbon with battle star; WWII Victory
Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He worked for Standard Oil of Indiana in 1946 and then returned to Northwestern University (194675) as a Professor of Marketing Research and then progressed on to Department Head, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Graduate School of Management. He went on to serve as the Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Illinois (UIC) from 1975-85 where he developed its Masters of Business Administration program.
Over his life Ralph was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma fraternities; ATO social fraternity (Thomas Ankle Clark national award winner in 1939); American Economic Association and American Marketing Association (President, Chicago Chapter 1957); Volunteer Executive Service Corps 1986-2000 (1500 hour award recipient); North Shore Senior Center 1986-2000 (President Men’s Club 1992, Board Member 1991-2000); Author or co-author of five books and numerous articles; Consultant at business schools in Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Venezuela. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in
Evanston, Illinois and served as an Elder and on the Board of Trustees 1992-94.
Ralph was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Charlotte Westfall and his three siblings. He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Janice Westfall and Andrew Levin (Chapel Hill, NC.); James Westfall and Julie Hanamura (Healdsburg, CA.); and Teresa Hutchinson and Thomas Hutchinson (Zionsville, IN.); five Grandsons and their spouses and children: Alexander Levin and Tessa McBrayer Levin; Kenneth Levin and Pauline Penafiel; Ryan
Hutchinson and McKenzie Hutchinson; Robert Hutchinson; and Daniel Hutchinson; and four Great Grand Children: Phoebe Levin, Theodore Levin, Beckett Hutchinson, and Eliza Hutchinson. Ralph will be missed by all who enjoyed a game of
golf, tennis or bridge with him, as well as everyone who enjoyed lively happy hours or engaging dinner
conversation in his company.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ralph Westfall Scholarship at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Make checks payable to: University of Illinois Foundation: Memo Line: Ralph Westfall Scholarship, #12772902. Mail to: University of Illinois Foundation, PO Box 734500 Chicago, Illinois 60673-4500
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