Ralph P. Hild

Ralph was born on July 27, 1929 in Mynard, Nebraska to John L. Hild and Elsie Mae (Dehning) Hild. Ralph was the oldest of five children. He spent his youth on the family farm at 6808 Church Road Plattsmouth, Nebraska which has been in the family since the mid 1870’s. Ralph graduated at 16 years of age from Plattsmouth High School with the class of 1946 where he was a member of the Plattsmouth High School National Honor Society. He then spent a year on the farm working with his dad before venturing off to attend the University of Nebraska. He graduated with a BS in Agriculture in 1952. He was affiliated with Farm House Fraternity and the Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honorary Fraternity. Ralph enjoyed being on the University of Nebraska Meats and Livestock Judging Teams. Upon graduation Ralph was an Assistant County Agent for Cuming County. Shortly, Ralph was drafted into the US Army, serving in the Veterinary Corps as a meat inspector at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, followed by a stint at the Armor Packing Plant in Omaha. He was a Commander of the American Legion Hugh Kerns Post 56 in Plattsmouth. He served on the American Legion Baseball Program. He is a past Chef De Gar of 40 & 8 Boiture Number 2118. He was Chairman of the Nurses Scholarship Committee for 40 & 8 for several years. Ralph received an Honorary Discharge in 1954. He then went on to serve as a County Extension Agent in Scottsbluff County. Ralph returned to Plattsmouth to work at Allied Chemical for 15 years. He next joined Farmland Industries as a Field Agent and Security Salesman. In 1975 Ralph changed careers to manage grain elevator operations in Iowa for Lincoln Grain. Ralph married Maxine Helen Steinbart on November 18, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church in Omaha. Ralph met Maxine, his lovely wife of almost 62 years, while traveling by train to Chicago, while representing the University for Livestock and Meat Judging National Competitions. Together they raised six children. All were members of National Honor Society at Plattsmouth High School. Ralph’s children enjoyed High School Band, 4-H, scouts, and sports. All earned BS degrees, four have MS degrees, and two completed PhD’s. Ralph and Maxine have fourteen grandchildren, one great grandson, and two great grandchildren to be born this winter. Ralph was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. He served on the church council as treasurer and president. He also served as the Sunday School Superintendent for numerous years. In this capacity he felt the conviction to teach all who attended Luther’s Small Catechism and the Ten Commandments by having these disciplines as a part of the regular weekly Sunday school. Ralph devoted his life to 4-H. He joined 4-H as a youth, participated at the University level, and served as a 4-H leader for 24 years. Ralph and wife Maxine continued to lead 4-H long after the children had gone on to college, serving on both the Cass County Extension Board and the 4-H Council. Ralph earned a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago at the age of 16 years. To his great pleasure, 40 years later, one of his sons was privileged to follow in his footsteps and experience the same grand event and 59 years later one of his granddaughters had this privilege. He was so devoted to 4-H that although extremely difficult to get around in a wheelchair, Ralph journeyed to Grand Island to see the new home of the Nebraska State Fair. Ralph’s love of agriculture continued on with future generations. Three of Ralph’s granddaughters received the American Degree in FFA, where less than 1% of FFA members receive this degree. Governor Kay Orr appointed Ralph to the Nebraska Governor’s Safety Council due to a proposal he submitted to write laws to prevent driving and talking on cell phones. This was when cell phones first came into existence. His wisdom was well ahead of the times. Ralph was extremely active in Cass County and Plattsmouth, being elected to the Plattsmouth School Board in 1964. Ralph and Maxine were decades long dedicated Plattsmouth Band Parents, including escorting the band to El Paso. Ralph served as treasurer for the P.T.A., receiving a Life Time membership award. He was involved with the Kass Kounty King Korn Karnival, serving as the president, then Corn Chairman. Ralph was Lord of the Realm in 1995 and bestowed the title of King in 2001. Ralph became involved with Plattsmouth Cub Scout Pack 399 and Boy Scout Troop 477 as Awards Chairman of the Cub and Boy Scouts. He took pride in having four sons and two grandsons earn BSA Eagle Scout and two granddaughters earning GSA Gold Awards. Ralph was a member of Plattsmouth Masonic Lodge Number 6 AF and AM. He was the Master Mason in 1964. He was past president of Nebraska Chapter Number 3 Royal Arch Masons, Adoniram Council Number 5 Cryptic Masons and Mount Zion Commandery Number 5 Knights Templar. Both daughters, and three granddaughters followed in his Mason family footsteps. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Alicia Shoemaker. He is survived by his wife Maxine – Plattsmouth and Children: Cheryl (Gene) Hobbie – Dunbar; Debra Hild (Greg Shoemaker) – Pensacola, FL; David (Jill) Hild – Omaha; Daryl (Janis) Hild – Colorado Springs, CO; Michael (Alison) Hild – Inver Grove Heights, MN; Jeffrey (Michele) Hild – Littleton, CO; and Grandchildren: Janelle (David) Wood, Leah (Isaac) Santema, Sarah (Nathan) Davis, Hillary Shoemaker, Holly Hild, Catherine (Patrick) Ward, D. Ryan Hild, Naomi Hild, Colby Hild, Anna Hild, Jessica Hild, Nicholas Hild, Cydnee Hild; and Great Grandson: Westleigh Santema; and Sisters: Deloris (James) Pollard - Oceanside, CA; Dorothy Meisinger - Plattsmouth; Shirley (Douglas) Burton – Hickory, NC; and Brother: Leonard (Judy) Hild – Louisville. Funeral Services will be Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 at 10:30 AM. at Christ Lutheran Church, Louisville, NE. Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 from 1 until 9 PM with the family present from 6 – 9 at the Harvey Funeral Home Plattsmouth, NE. There will be a Masonic and 40 & 8 service at 7:00 P. M. Online condolences to www.bpharveyfuneralhome.com Brian P. Harvey Funeral Home Plattsmouth, NE 402-296-4445