David Ralich
July 7, 1943 ~ June 5, 2014
David Ralich, 70, Mooresville, Indiana, died June 5, 2014, in St. Francis Hospital, Mooresville. Mr. Ralich was born July 7, 1943, in Lorain, Ohio, to the late Michael and Martha (Vorkavich) Ralich.
David graduated from Lorain High School in 1961 and attended Ohio University. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp from 1963-67, and as a result, was a member of the Mooresville American Legion Post 103. David worked for 32 years for Chautauqua Airlines as a mechanic, Director of Quality Control, and retired as the Director of Safety in 2006. He was a member and served on the board of the Martinsville Conservation Club. Additionally, he was a lifetime member of the NRA. David enjoyed woodworking and spending time in his workshop. He also enjoyed sports and was a fervent Cleveland Browns fan and also enjoyed cheering for the Indiana Pacers. He will be missed by a loving family and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandchild, Everett Eric Ralich.
Survivors include his wife, Karen (Davisson) Ralich, to whom he was united in marriage May 3, 1969; children, Rachael Silliman of Venice, Florida, David Michael Ralich of Indianapolis, Jacqueline Wiggers of Ashville, New York, and Mary Elizabeth Wilson of San Antonio, Texas; siblings, Michael Ralich of Steubenville, Ohio and Marsha Ralich of Lorain, Ohio; grandchildren, Alexander, Jonathon, Wyatt, Colton, Laura, Morgan, Genevieve, Lillian, and Piper.
Friends and family will gather on Saturday, June 7, 2014, 2 to 5 p.m., in the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 4 to 8 p.m., in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, Amherst, Ohio. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2014, in the funeral home. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to Vietnam Memorial of Lorain County. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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I grew close to Dave during early part of the Republic Airlines certification process. He was a good man, with love for God, family and country. I will miss him. Brent Ruble
Dave had an impact on me early in my career. A good guy and always a friendly face.
I just found out about the passing of this great man. I was hired as a Parts Clerk for Chautauqua Airlines in Jamestown, NY, being the first female to work in the hangar. Dave was a great mentor and friend. I acquired most of my aircraft maintenance knowledge from him. It was a privilege to move to Indy with the Company and continue that teaching. Dave loved his family more than anything and we will keep them in our prayers in the days ahead.
Prayers to the family. I worked with Dave at Chautauqua Airlines in Jamestown New York many years ago.
Thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We missed him at the CHQ Reunion this weekend. I worked with him at Chautauqua Airlines in Jamestown in the 80s.
Karen and the Ralich family. I am honored to have know your husband and father. He was generous with his knowledge truly mentored those who worked for him. His love for his family was always evident and we are all better to have gotten to know such a fine man. May God bless you at this difficult time. Ellen Dolinar Republic Airways Holdings (Worked for Dave in the Safety department)
Dave was a tremendous personality and always had a way of making me laugh. I cannot express how lucky I feel to have known him and worked with him. My prayers are with you.
Those of us that knew him and worked with him still talk about him often and reflect fondly on our memories of his time with us. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all those that shared the pleasure of knowing him.
I was so sad to hear this today. I am a better person for meeting and learning from him, and I will never forget the first time he ever yelled at me 🙂 . My condolences to his family and friends..
My condolences to the family in this difficult time. Dave made huge impression early in my aviation career at Chautauqua. He was a great teacher and mentor who always had a lesson to teach and a smile. Dave genuinely cared about his fellow employees and he will truly missed.
Dave was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Rest in peace my friend.
I had the pleasure of having an office next to Dave. We talked and joked with each other quite often. Dave was a wealth of knowledge when it came to aviation, safety and just basic life. He often said my choice in college football teams was poor. The day he retired from Chautauqua, he was missed. Thank you Dave for all that you shared, enjoy your journey home to our father. God Speed my friend
I will miss Dave. In the short time (8 years) I knew him he was my mentor, instructor and a hell of a boss – in spite of that big stick he kept in his office!!! After he retired from Chautauqua he was like an older and wiser brother to me and we shared great moments together. My family’s thoughts and prayers go to Karen and his family. John Martiney
Dave was always the sweetest yet sarcastic man to put a smile on my face. He is and always will be known and remembered as a great man and a human everyone that knew him was lucky to know. He had a way to make everyone feel welcome and part of the team. God bless!
You will be missed my friend.
I so sorry for the Great lost of DAVID RALICH…..May the Outpouring of the Sympathy the Kind acts Of Friends and Family as well as your Memories Give you comfort to Help you endure the days ahead… The Bible also give you Comfort…Psalms 34:18 ‘ God is near to those BROKENHEARTED’ and Revelation 21 :4′ Our Creator Promises us that they will be a time when ‘ DEATH ‘ will be no more…Hope this bring you a little of Comfort…….
I had the pleasure of working with Dave for many years as one of the Chautauqua ‘old timers’. I’ve always looked up to him and respected his outlook on life and work. He seemed gruff to some, but he was a big teddy bear at heart. God bless him! He will be missed
Dave was someone who left your heart happy when you talked to him. He found a hat at a garage sale that had my last name on it and brought in to me. It was one of the most thoughtful gestures anyone has done for me. I have had it hanging in my home office for close to six years now. He will be in my heart and memories forever and he and his family will be in my prayers. May the Lord bless and keep you, His mighty arms wrapped around you in His abundant Love. Farewell, Dave.
Ten years ago, I had a black leather vest that I sometimes wore to work. Dave would always comment on my vest when he strolled through the dispatch office. Then one day, Dave came strolling through the office sporting a nice leather vest himself! Rest in Peace, Dave.
It was a pleasure to work with Dave, always willing to share his knowledge of aircraft and his life’s experiences. dave and I ribbed each other about our time in the military, Dave being a Marine and Me being Navy made for some comic relief. Semper FI my friend. You will be missed.
I was new to the company when Dave walked up to me and asked me if I remembered his name. Of course I did not and I was terribly embarressed. He said ‘when you look at me, think of ‘Happy’ from the 7 Dwarfs’. He immediately put me at ease and we became instant friends. I will always miss his smile.
David, Rest in peace. Karen is in our prayers. Steve
Very sad news indeed, Rest in peace and may God comfort his loved ones. For sure, the mention of his name makes me smile and recall lots of funny stores.
When I was a temp, Dave spoke up for me, along with others to hire me at Republic Airlines. Arletta Bridgers
I’m at a loss for words about how I feel. It was an honor to have know Dave. At one time the entire Chautauqua Safety Department consisted of Dave and I. Our charge was to make it safe. Big job and Dave was just the man for the job. He constantly amazed me with the depth of his aviation knowledge and new ideas. I have lost a great friend and I will never forget him or his great outlook on things. Karen – God bless you and the kids and grand kids. You were the most important thing to Dave and I always enjoyed hearing about the visits and what was going on with you and yours. R.I.P my friend, I will never forget you! Don Olvey
‘The Bear’. Dave had a belt I remember well. On the back it said ‘BEAR’. It was a great name for Dave. He could be a Big Bear any day and a Teddy bear at the same time. I worked with Dave 29 years at CHQ. He was a great guy. He could chew me out real good and walk away with a smile. We knew when Dave walked into the office it was time to look up and pay attention. He was going to make us laugh and smile or tremble. He ran a tight ship on the hanger boys back in JHW, but he always had a good story for me. I’ll never forget the Joel Hall story at the Ironstone restaurant in Jamestown NY. I still think of Dave telling me the story of Joel’s hat. Dave will be missed…….RIP BEAR. My condolences to Karen and family. Norm Corky Robinson……
I preferred the Teddy Bear Dave to the Big Bear Dave! LOL
I worked with Dave a short time but I always remember the love he had for his family, the devotion to his job and his ax handle above his office door. You will be sadly missed. Heartfelt prayers for those left behind. Jill Litten
I had the pleasure of knowing Dave, I am the Maintenance Manager at IND I always dreaded the many audits we have every year, except for the ones where Dave came. We ended up laughing as he pointed out a few things we needed to fix or improve on. He will be missed. Thoughts to the family
Dave ‘The Bear’ Ralich peace to all who knew him. He served his time for his country. He served his time for this Industry. His family and friends should be proud of just how much he cared, he had a big heart for anyone in need. A smile or a laugh sometimes just a nod hello from dave made your day. Rest In Peace Brother