Col. Ralph Lundell

Ralph Nathan Lundell, age 96, passed away November 30, 2015 at The Plaza Healthcare Services at Santa Marta Senior Living Community in Olathe, Kansas.

He was born October 19, 1919 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Olrick John and Nell Mina Keller Lundell.  He was a resident of the Kansas City area for over 60 years.  He married Jean Tucker on August 29, 1947 and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage.  He is survived by daughter Barbara Moriarty (Michael) of Leawood, Kansas, son Eric Lundell (Dr. Sue Lowe) of Laramie, WY, and grandchildren Megan Moriarty (Edward Healy), Julia Moriarty, and Sven Lundell.

He graduated from Benson High School in 1936 and Creighton University in 1940 with a B.S. in math and chemistry.  After four years in ROTC, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on his 21st birthday and entered active duty in July 1941.  He served in World War II in Europe from 1944-1947 as a captain and major, where he was awarded the Bronze Star medal.  He remained in the Army Reserve, retiring in 1979 with the rank of colonel.  During World War II, he served in London in the European Theatre Headquarters planning the training of troop units and logistical support for Operation Overlord to invade Europe.  Following the initial D-Day beach landings, he landed at Utah Beach in Normandy, proceeded on to headquarters in Paris and then to Frankfurt, Germany.  He continued to serve with the Army of Occupation in Germany through 1946 and visited the Nuremburg trials twice to observe the 21 Nazi leaders on trial.   After returning to Washington, D.C., he served through 1947 in the office of the Quartermaster General before transferring to reserve status.

In 1948 he was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in long-distance management positions in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, retiring in 1985.

While in college he began a musical avocation as an organist and served churches in Omaha, St. Louis and Kansas City for many years.  He was the organist at Leawood Presbyterian Church for 37 years and, more recently, played for weekly interdenominational services at the Santa Marta community through age 94.

He was a volunteer with the American Lung Association for over 30 years, serving as past president of the ALA of Western Missouri and as a past member of the national board of directors of the ALA.
He was a member of the American Guild of Organists for 75 years; the Military Order of the World Wars (past Commander of the Kansas City Chapter); Christ Church, St. Michael and All Angels and St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Churches through the years.  He and Jean enjoyed many years of world travels in retirement.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staffs of the Plaza Healthcare at Santa Marta and Grace Hospice for their dedication and compassionate care.

Private burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery.  Memorial service 2:00 pm Monday, December 7, 2015 at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, 12251 Antioch Road, Overland Park, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, American Parkinson Disease Association,the American Guild of Organists, or the American Lung Association  .