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| Ralph Hadley Viskochil
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| NO. 17661 •
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Died 21 April 1967 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, aged 41 years.
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
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DEAR RALPH,
This letter is a labor
of love that will never appear on paper exactly as it is etched in the minds
and hearts of those who love you, admire you, and miss you. The two years since
your passing have proven that you are one of those few truly great men who
build so well in life that they live with even greater purpose after death.
We who had the joy and privilege of knowing you well are just beginning
to really appreciate what an exceptional man you were. We knew you as father,
son, brother, husband, pal, classmate, instructor, comrade-in-arms, community
leader, patriot, soldier, officer, and professional engineer. We had the
pleasure of participating with you and following your leadership in everything
from wild schemes to rebuild the house and the country club, to Boy Scouts,
investments, Little League, golf, bowling, squash, photography, art, music,
camping, and yea ‑ even work. Your hobby must have been collecting
hobbies, yet you did them all justice while maintaining excellence as an
officer, engineer, and father.
When one works as hard as you did at so many worthwhile, difficult, and
varied problems, one often does not see immediate results and wonders if any
progress is being made. It occurred to us that you might appreciate a progress
report on the results of your 4 1/2 short years of effective effort.
They are still talking at Leavenworth and Walter Reed about the great
courage, good humor, and sheer guts you displayed during that last difficult
year ‑ with the painful treatments, loss of voice, learning to talk all
over again, and all the while keeping an even keel at home and at work.
The tremendous stack of condolence letters from friends and admirers all
over the world shows what an indelible impression you made on so many people.
The letters were from generals, contemporaries, junior officers, enlisted men,
and civilians ‑ completely rounded just as your beautiful life.
Of course the most important monument a man can build is his family, Your
performance here is proving every day to be your crowning achievement. Your
brave wife, three handsome sons and darling daughter all reflect your example,
the goals you set before them, and the love you lavished on them. I hope it is
possible that you are able to see them from your new duty station and to share
the pride and admiration we all feel for them as they go about the important
business of maturing and contributing to the community by their actions. Joy,
Stephen, David, Lani, and Larry will always shed credit on their beloved
husband and father.
You will be happy to know that your Boy Scouts in Korea, Leavenworth, and
Springfield, are flourishing because you built so well. The many contributions
sent in on your behalf to the Springfield troop have resulted in a fitting and
practical memorial to the things you stood for. The Springfield Country Club,
whose inception received the benefit of your wise guidance and hard work, has become one of the finest in the Northern
Virginia area. The real estate work you did in DCSLOG still serves the Army
well as do your many construction projects and the officers and men you trained
and guided so effectively. Indeed Ralph, you left your mark. "When man
departs from this world, neither silver nor gold accompany him; he is
remembered only for his love of learning, love of his fellow men and his good
deeds."
Thus you are remembered, dear
friend.
- E. C. West
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USMA 1950