The heavens gained a remarkable soul on May 11th and while our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing he passed in his home and is at peace.

Ralph E. Piehl (74) was raised in Waterloo, Iowa. Right out of high school he joined the Marine Corp and proudly served his country in Vietnam. After his service Ralph worked as a machinist and a Tool & Die Maker, primarily for John Deere’s tractor works in Waterloo.

On August 31st, 1973, he married Saran Kirchmeier and enjoyed 52 years of marriage until his death. The couple had four children: Dawn Dauphin (Tom), Dustin Piehl (Tracy) Devin Piehl, & Dayne Piehl; and one favorite granddaughter, Lillyann Piehl.

Ralph enjoyed hunting and fishing growing up as a boy, and later with his family. After relocating his family to Wisconsin, Ralph transitioned into machine tool sales with Productivity, Inc. After several years, Ralph formed his own successful machine tool sales co. – REPCO. After retirement, Ralph focused his skills in manufacturing in his own shop; creating boxes, furniture, and other items out of exotic woods and other materials.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Ralph was survived by two sisters, Sandy Jacobson and Cindy Piehl Caulfield (Mark), along with his wife and children/grandchild. He was further survived by many friends, and of course his fur babies, Smokey and Bandit.

A celebration of Ralph’s Life will be held September 19th, at the Hartland American Legion, located at 231 Goodwin Ave,  from 1 pm to 5pm.