Ralph David Verby

Published April 23, 2020 at 2:14 PM

Ralph was born on December 31, 1921 in a farm house in Willow River, Minnesota. He passed away in Sun City West, Arizona on April 20, 2020.

He grew up in West Duluth, Minnesota, where he was a member of St. James Catholic Church.

In 1941 at 20 years old, Ralph enlisted in the Navy in World War II. He returned to Duluth after the war and worked at Diamond Tool and Horseshoe company where he met Betty, his first wife. She passed away in 1984.

After leaving Diamond Tool, Ralph got a job in Detroit, with Chevrolet Divisions of General Motors as a district representative. He worked for them for several years with territories in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He lived in Willmar, Minnesota and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

After General Motors, Ralph worked for Gould National Battery in Minneapolis. His territory covered areas East of he Mississippi River where he had contacts with the car manufacturers and tire industry.

He left Gould National in 1960 to take over a wholesale battery business in Houston, Texas, that expanded to two other towns inTexas. His business joined an association of other small battery businesses, Battery Associates. His battery business continued until 1984 when he sold it.

Ralph love to travel the world and learn about the places he visited. In 1990, while traveling to Australia, he met Muriel and they were married in 1992. They travelled the world together and had homes in Australia, Sun City West, and their farm in Cleveland, Texas. As part of a trip to the USA, their Australian family visited the farm and many other places.

Beside traveling and working at the farm, they had annual fishing trips. His brother Russell and sister Gloria with other relatives enjoyed fishing in Canada and northern Minnesota.

Ralph is survived by his wife Muriel, sister Gloria Napoli, many nieces and nephews and their families. He had friends wherever he was.

Funeral arrangement will be made in the future due to the restrictions of the Covid 19 virus. No flowers or donations are requested. Please join Ralph’s family in sharing memories, pictures or videos on his tribute wall at www.caminodelsol.com.