Ralph Plas

Ralph William Plas, age 83, of Grand Island, died Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Grand Island. He was born January 15, 1924 in Avon, OH to William and Catherine (Hart) Plas. He was the youngest of six children, all of whom have preceded him in death. A graduate of Avon High School, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1943 from Scott Field, Illinois. Ralph received his education under the GI bill. He attended Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, then received his degree in education from the University of Dayton, Ohio. He taught school in Ohio for a year before receiving his graduate degree in school administration from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. He served as elementary principal, high school principal, and superintendent of schools for thirty-six years, until his health forced his retirement in 1988. Since his retirement, Ralph lived in Cody, NE, Loup City, NE, and Geneva, NE until he moved to the Veteran’s Home in Grand Island in 2005. He was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. He was baptized in Immaculate Conception Church in Avon, OH, confirmed and was married in 1951 to Kathrynann Riedner of Colton, WA, who also preceded him in death. To them, eight children were born, all of whom survive him: Tim Plas and wife Mary, and triplet children of Brooklyn Park, MN, Dan Plas of Weslin, TX, Maureen Forest and husband, Brandon and 2 children of Davis, CA, Brenda Carstens and husband, Gene and 2 children of Kearney, NE, Charlotte McReynolds and husband Sam and 2 children of Scottsdale, AZ, Juanita Hastings and husband, Jeff and 3 children of Hastings, NE, Becky Bothwell and husband Jim and 3 children of Tonganoxie, KS, and Terrence Plas and wife Susan of Phoenix, AZ. Ralph is survived by 8 children and 15 grandchildren. For many years, Ralph was an ardent fisherman, hunter, gardener, reader, and naturalist. In later years, he developed an interest in photography. He was a member of the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Phi Delta Kappa, the professional education society.

Memorial services were held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday at the Veterans Home chapel in Grand Island, and inurnment followed at Memorial Cemetery in Grand Island. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.