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
Speak Your Mind