Ralph Edward Weets

As "Norm" was to "Cheers", Ralph was to Pizza Palace.
There was the whole Cheers gang....Doctor Bob was Frasier, Conrad was Cliffy...

And Ralph was Norm-
he had his regular spot at the counter, was in on a regular basis, and pretty much ordered the same thing when he was there.
He had a quick sense of humor, like Norm, and would ponder the things of life. We remember Ralph coming up with a few unique ideas, like, "Why don't they make pepperroni the size of a pizza? Then you would only have to put one on", and
"Why do they perforate toilet paper? Can't people tear it without those lines?  And it needs to be on HUGE rolls, so you don't run out" (He should have put a patent on this one, becasue later it became a reality-now every convenience store and restaurant has this type of tp!) 
Ralph was a thinker-had a lot of ideas.

He was also a true friend. If you ever needed someone to help with ANYTHING, you could call Ralph. He was around to help if things got busy @ Pizza Palace, he was around when you needed help with vehicles, move furniture, help paint,  and even when you wanted to dance! (Karl would say, "Ralph, dance with my wife, would ya?"@ street dances, wedding receptions, etc.! )

One tradition we have is to put the Christmas tree up every Thanksgiving night-and part of that tradition was Ralph arranging and "fluffing" the branches-he had a knack for getting them to look just right. He was good with our kids, and called them by their nicknames. He would dress up for Halloween parties-I remember when he was an ugly witch; our kids knew it was Ralph, so weren't scared.  He was good with them, and they trusted him.

I am sure he was a great dad.  We have never met Jing or the kids, but we hope they are "thinkers" like Ralph, and have his heart of gold. We are so sorry he is gone, but are glad he has them to carry on his legacy.

So, Here's to you, "Norm"! We miss you, buddy!

I will always remember going to the Hoolie Hopper in Audubon with Ralph. He was a good dancer.  He was always game to go anywhere and he was always so laid back.  I never saw Ralph upset about anything. 

My favorite memory that sticks out is from Pizza Palace.  I used to work there and Ralph would come in every day.  He would sit and play cards with Karl and Conrad while I finished cleaning up.  One night it was snowing pretty good when I finished for the night.  I knew they were getting done with the card game so when I left, I hid behind a car.  When they came out of the Palace, I bombed them with snowballs!!  We had a snowball fight in the middle of the street!!!!   

That is how Ralph was -  just kind of went with the flow. 

I was glad to hear that he met and married a wonderful lady!  He was truly a man that deserved hapiness!  I know he always wanted a family and children and am glad that-even if it was for a short time - that he had that. 

RIP Ralph- you will be misseed by MANY!!!!

Big Brother, you were there when I was born and you were always there when I needed you. I couldn't even say your name right and it always came out Walphy.  I remember when we were kids you used to wake me up on Saturday mornings so we can watch cartoons together and then you'd make us Cream of Wheat for breakfast.  You'd take me everywhere with you, even when you didn't want to. 

I didn't really appreciate how tough it was to be my big brother until we were older.  I came home for a visit from college and I grilled you about growing up. "Do you remember when we were jumping on the couch and I bounced off and split my forehead open on the corner of the coffee table?" "Yep, I got in big trouble for that" he said.

"Do you remember when I broke the basement window?" I asked and you said "Yep, I got in trouble for that." 

"Do you remember when you were bringing me to the neighbors riding on your mustang bike and I got my heel caught in the spokes?" I asked and you said "Yep, I got in trouble for that too!"

I asked again, "Do you remember when I fell out of that tree in the front yard?, Again, he replied "Yep, I got in trouble for that too!"

I said "I guess  you got in a lot of trouble watching out for me, huh?" He said, "That's what big brothers are for!"

Well, big brother, you did a great job and I'm still here.  You should be too but know I appreciate you watching out for me and know that I will watch out for your children, just as you did for me!

Love, Sis!