"Allison Watson lit a candle in memory of Ralph Bodamer"
In loving memory of
Ralph Bodamer
January 3, 1920 - September 3, 2014
Ralph Bodamer Jr., 94, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at Bethany Home in Dubuque, Iowa. He will be laid to rest with Military Honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. Services are being planned and will be announced.
A veteran of WWII, Ralph volunteered in 1942 to serve in the U. S. Army; he fought bravely in the North Africa, Sicily, Rhineland, Central European and Rome Arno Campaigns. He was rightfully proud of his service to his country, though he spoke little of it until very late in life. Those who had the good fortune to be near him in his later years learned that he coped with the stresses of war by memorizing the songs and poetry of the era, which he regularly shared with delight until shortly before he passed away.
After the war, Ralphs boyhood interest in the animal world blossomed into a long career caring for animals. He began by working in Chicago-area pet shops and by running a shop of his own in the mid-1950s. During that time he developed a passion for all things aquatic, especially salt water and fresh water tropical fish. That interest led him to Chicagos Shedd Aquarium where he retired as a Senior Aquarist after over 25 years of service caring for tropical fish, and assisting in the collection of exotic species from far-away places. In his retirement years, Ralph most enjoyed travelling to visit family, friends and aquariums from Yugoslavia to California.
Ralph Bodamer was born Jan. 3, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Ralph and Edith (Bloom) Bodamer. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Ruth Bodamer Gibson of Murfreesboro, TN and Grace Christine Flynn of Sherman Oaks, CA.
He is survived by nephews Michael Scott (Deborah) Haines of Box Elder, SD and Parry Todd Haines of Washington, DC; niece Sharon (John) Wells of Murfreesboro, TN; five loving grand-nephews/nieces and their descendants. He is also survived by his extended family of friends and children who knew and loved him as their adopted Uncle Ralph. His light will be sorely missed by so many.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Ralph Bodamers name to Bethany Home, 1005 Lincoln Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001 and Hospice of Dubuque, 1670 JFK Road, Dubuque, IA 52002.
Tributes
"Keith Gavigan lit a candle in memory of Ralph Bodamer"
"Ralph was one of my mentors at the Shedd Aquarium and I was fortunate to work with him for twenty years. Ralph was a great collector, and participated on more than forty trips for the Shedd, that took him all over the World from Hawaii to the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. Ralph could catch the elusive sand tilefish when no one else could. He also served as the Chef on many collecting trips aboard the RV Coral Reef and the RV Coral Reef II. Ralph worked hard but enjoyed life, nature, and the outdoors. We will all miss him and his warm smile. My sincere condolences to Ralphs family and friends. Cordially, Roger Klocek."
"Ralph was working in Tributaries (formerly Balanced Aquarium Room) when I began working at Shedd in 1983. He was a kind sharing person who always wanted to give opportunities to the people that worked or volunteered with him. You could tell Ralph thoroughly enjoyed life and all it had to offer. He will be missed. Kathy Lee"
"He was my favorite uncle, though he was actually mom's uncle, we still called him Uncle Ralph. He always found time to play and have fun with us from the time that we were very young through his later years before he moved to his final place before his death. I remember fondly my visits with him in Chicago when I travelled to visit both he and my grandmother. He always made time for me during my visits to either go the Shedd Aquarium where he would get access to the back and look at the workings from behind the scenes just like he did when we were kids, to just walking down Michigan Ave and having lunch at Marshall Field's, and then just walk and talk afterwards. I will miss those conversations, and the caring and loving way about him that came so naturally. I will love and miss him every day."
"It left out the Nephew between Great and Brad"
"I'll never forget cousin Ralph. His hands were always a bit fishy when I was a kid. We never knew how old Ralph was. He didn't seem to age at all. He looked like the classic man of the sea with his white hair. Ralph was a cousin to my Mom, Carol (Juhlin) Peterson. I will never forget the behind the scenes tours that he provided to us kids back in the 80s. I also will never forget bumping into Ralph on LaSalle street in the late 90s. He was downtown enjoying the city for the day. As everyone got a little older and my Mom passed away we unfortunately lost touch with Ralph. When Christmas cards stopped coming I knew something was wrong. He was always good about little things like that. I am so glad to see that he had loving support as he got older and moved to Iowa. While it's always sad to see someone go I am happy to finally know his age, and that he indeed lived a long and impactfull life. May he rest in peace. Tim Peterson (Janelle, Grant and Reid too)"
"The Wet Pet Shoppe boys reunited, June 2014. That was a very special day for Ralph! --Scott"
"The Wet Pet Shoppe boys reunited, June 2014. That was a very special day for Ralph. Thank you to Jim, Paul, Kevin and John for being there for him."
"http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-08-04/features/8502200697_1_fish-tank-aquarist This article really speaks to who he was. He was generous enough to allow me to work with him at the Shedd. A dream come true experience."