Ralph Louis Wehmann, known affectionately as “Lordy B,” 76, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at his home in Harrington Park, NJ surrounded by his loving family.
Beloved husband of Nancy (née Kopf) for over 46 years, proud and treasured father of daughters, Stephanie and Kathleen (Adam Szuch), and adored “Pop Pop” of Gemma Lucia and Logan Ralph. He was predeceased by his sons, Denny and Scott, parents Paul and Derna Wehmann, and sister, Derna Elton.
Survived by countless cherished friends from every stage of a life well-lived, his brother, Carl Wehmann, and multiple generations of nephews and nieces, all of whom were equally captivated by their “Uncle Ralph” for his wisdom, humor, and immensely kind heart.
Growing up in his hometown of Alpine, NJ, Ralph attended Alpine Public School, graduated from Tenafly High School and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, for which his name appears on Alpine’s Memorial Rock. His service included two years aboard the USS Springfield (CLG-7), a guided missile light cruiser and flagship of the 6th Fleet, followed by two years of submarine duty aboard the USS Skate (SSN-578). The friendships forged in the military lasted throughout his life and beyond.
A public servant to his core, following his time in the Navy, he resumed this calling in his career and as a volunteer first responder. Ralph dedicated more than 41 years to the Alpine Department of Public Works, 34 of which he served as Superintendent. He was also a lifetime member and past Lieutenant of the Alpine Volunteer Fire Department.
A lifelong passion of Ralph’s was softball. He spent many years playing in men’s leagues, for teams including DiRese and Bondy’s (Cresskill) and the Northvale Fire Department, where he formed lasting friendships and a deep connection to the sport he loved. A multi-team athlete turned ultimate “girl dad”, he not only instilled a love for the game in his daughters, but in many young athletes, across several seasons from the mid ‘90s to early 2000s with the HP Recreation Girls Softball League as Head Coach of the then-very-well-known championship team, The Coffee Dogs.
His greatest joy was welcoming and caring for his grandchildren. Ralph will be remembered for his strength of character, steadfast determination, impressive ingenuity, grace under pressure, unwavering perseverance, for his dedication to family, a life of service, and his community, as well as his lifelong love of softball and the New York Jets (even if the latter tried his patience nearly every year since 1969). His family takes abiding comfort that his legacy lives on through the many lives he touched through his work and friendships.
Visiting hours are Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 12-3 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A service will be conducted at 2:30 PM during the visitation. Military honors will be rendered in recognition of Ralph’s service in the United States Navy.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to:
Hackensack Meridian- John Theurer Cancer Center 1 Wellbrook Place, Iselin, NJ 08830 https://donate.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/a/john-theurer-cancer-center
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) (Formerly Be The Match) 500 N. Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401 https://www.nmdp.org
Rest easy Uncle Ralph, you were so loved and will be missed greatly. Your short stop is waiting with open arms and a cold cocktail. Love you
Thanks to Ralph for his service to all of us via his military service and his dedication to Alpine. Sincere condolences from the Glazers to his family.
You will be remembered fondly and missed dearly
Condolences to the family
Wishing ralph’s memory be a blessing to everybody who ever knew him. When we first moved to Alpine ralph greeted us with a big smile and was always there to assist when we needed. He was a special guy.
My dear buddy,
Our historical talks about Alpine, how you grew up and played on my property before I moved in. How you met your friends to play when my property faced Closter Dock Road. We reminisced about your childhood and the purchases I made in your mother’s Old Curiosity Shop in Cresskill where I spent many a day tagging along my son and keeping her company while buying things I didn’t need. I still have the beautiful mirror purchased when I had a weak moment. Your mom and dad were special people, and I will never forget them or you. Your lovely wife Nancy and your daughters are dear to me as well. I will miss you buddy. Sylvia Stedman
Going to miss you friend, from the first time I met you when you moved in we drank a case of Bud. We had fun, the infamous missing baby blanket when we were enjoying our beer, our Saturday afternoons at Frickies for our beer, clams and cheese cake at the bar and our disagreements with the local chapter of the Gooney birds detachment of the Marines. Nothing got in our way. After all we are Navy and Army. Remember the time when Steph fell out of the wagon at my house and rolled down the hill at the construction site? We got yelled at by Nancy who at the time was pregnant with Kat. We were told our reckless drinking was going to stop when Nancy got on her feet. And it did!
Then came the many block parties at your house because I did not want it at my house I am a nut when it comes to my grass.
There are so many stories to tell, I only hope I can remember them: Big white. Big green and Him and everyone else.
We lived the life and I am going to miss you terribly. I am not a mushy guy but with you I am.
Till we meet again at the block party in the sky. I will bring the clams and cheesecake you bring the beer.
Amanda and Nancy Kopf send condolences.
Thinking of you all during this time.
Heaven opens its arms to Ralph.
So very sorry to hear this. God bless RALPH. So many years of fun and softball. Very sorry for. Your loss .
It was fun to run into Ralph when traveling about the town. He loved the outdoors and sharing stories regarding trees, wildlife and old Alpine. My sincere condolences to his family, especially Nancy and Steph who would always let me know how Ralph was doing with the grandkids after retiring. May he Rest in Peace
We will always be grateful for the good times and memories throughout the years on York Lake.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loving family.
Ralph, your friendly smile will be truly missed. Rest in peace.
So sorry to hear about Ralph’s passing. He played many years for my Bondy’s softball team. We shared a lot of good memories and he was a great guy and a true gentleman. Rest in peace my friend.
If was always great seeing Ralph around town! He was always so helpful! RIP Ralph!
My father’s right hand man on the Alpine DPW, and then the Superintendent. A proud fellow Alpine Firefighter. And a proud fellow Navy Veteran. On behalf of the Parsells family, thank you Ralph, and rest in peace. Ed Parsells