A sad start for 2012

  • john_steinhauer
    p4
    Posts: 2998
    January 2, 2012 at 1:53 am #1275160

    I got a call earlier today that left my day feeling pretty empty. A life long friend of mine had passed away. I have known him since I can remember he influenced me in many ways both with fishing and in life in general. I can honestly say if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I’m at with fishing or the person I am today. He taught me many things both on and off the water, he introduced me walleye fishing, taught me many things about fishing in general, taught me allot of handyman stuff. I could go on and on and on about the memories and knowledge he has left me with and all of it means the world to me and I wont soon forget it.

    RIP Ralph you will be missed dearly!!

    flatfish
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 2105
    January 2, 2012 at 2:08 am #1023315

    So sorry to hear of this great loss to you, as I’m sure it was as well to family and others.
    Prayers to all.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    January 2, 2012 at 2:26 am #1023322

    John, is that the Ralph from the Red Wing area you frequently spoke of?

    Either way, sorry to hear of your loss.

    john_steinhauer
    p4
    Posts: 2998
    January 2, 2012 at 2:34 am #1023323

    Quote:

    John, is that the Ralph from the Red Wing area you frequently spoke of?

    Either way, sorry to hear of your loss.

    Yes that’s the one.

    Steve Plantz
    SE MN
    Posts: 12240
    January 2, 2012 at 2:47 am #1023326

    John so sorry for your loss I will keep you and his family in my thoughts and prayes. You can take some comfort knowing that he is in a better place and you will meet again someday.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    January 2, 2012 at 2:54 am #1023329

    Ralph Diercks the Mississippi River Guide?

    That I am sorry to hear!

    FlambeauVista
    Park Falls, WI
    Posts: 264
    January 2, 2012 at 3:23 am #1023332

    I’m sorry to hear of your loss. May the memories of the good times comfort you.

    TBeirl514
    Covington Indiana
    Posts: 269
    January 2, 2012 at 3:32 am #1023336

    Sad for your loss , but happy you have some great memories !It has to be a great tribute for your friend . Im sure he is happy he made an impact on your life !

    john_steinhauer
    p4
    Posts: 2998
    January 2, 2012 at 3:36 am #1023339

    Quote:

    Ralph Diercks the Mississippi River Guide?

    That I am sorry to hear!

    He was a guide on the Mississippi River as well as the original owner of Four Seasons Sports in Red Wing, MN. One hell of a fisherman and one hell of a nice guy!! I feel more than blessed to have been able to spend the amount of time I did with him on and off the water. He will be missed by many.

    Fairbairn
    Posts: 10
    January 2, 2012 at 8:35 pm #1023514

    This news bums me out. Ralph was a great fisherman and a friend to anyone he talked to. And….he gave me one of my all time favorite tournament memories.

    Years ago the MWC had a tournament at Castle Rock Lake in Wisconsin in early April. There was a community hole above a train bridge that was holding number of small fish. At takeoff many of the teams headed there first thing to try and catch a few in an otherwise tough bite. Ralph and Bob Probst were fishing the event….out of Bob’s pontoon…and needless to say they arrived a little late to the hole. Upon arriving they dropped the anchor, pitched four lines off the back of the toon and proceeded to fire up the grill and start making breakfast.

    Every once in a while they would look up and have a fish on and a debate would start over who was going to catch and who was going to cook. The fish seemed secondary to the true goal.

    A lot of what anglers know about fishing at Red Wing is due to Ralph whether they know it or not. Lots and lots of good anglers shared their info with Ralph and he did his best to help anyone he could. I will miss having him around.

    Scott

    Dean Marshall
    Chippewa Falls WI /Ramsey MN
    Posts: 5854
    January 2, 2012 at 9:05 pm #1023524

    Well stated Scott . RIP Ralph & Thank you.

    wkw
    Posts: 730
    January 2, 2012 at 9:25 pm #1023532

    I will miss Ralph in the crowd at the tournament weigh-ins at Red Wing. Always there to shake your hand, win or lose.
    R.I.P. Ralph.
    WW

    brett-king
    Posts: 217
    January 2, 2012 at 9:34 pm #1023537

    What a bummer . Rest in peace my friend. I’ll think of ya everytime I drop lead on Pepin.

    dan stien
    Waunakee, Wisconsin
    Posts: 400
    January 2, 2012 at 10:21 pm #1023566

    Sorry to hear of yours and the family’s loss John, Prayers to all.

    KirtH
    Lakeville
    Posts: 4063
    January 2, 2012 at 10:31 pm #1023572

    Sad to hear, Ralph was a great guy always had time to chat. We always sat by each other at the Tuffy GTG’s and chatted.

    river rat randy
    Hager City WI
    Posts: 1736
    January 2, 2012 at 10:52 pm #1023580

    I had the pleasure of knowing Ralph for many years! I first meet Ralph at his sports shop way back when. It was one of those things where we hit it off right away. Like he did with so many others. Unfortunately i never did get to spend any time in a boat with the that old river rat. But we did fish many many tournaments against him. WOW remembering those days back when Ralph and Bob Propst where fishing tournaments toghter what a HOOT those 2 guys where.! Just a few weeks ago my son Rob said to me. Next summer lets hire Ralph and spend a day with him on his pontoon. We are both so sad and sorry that will never happen now! RIP…You old river rat. You will be missed by all…….rrr

    Steve Plantz
    SE MN
    Posts: 12240
    January 2, 2012 at 11:11 pm #1023596

    I did not realise that it was Ralph Diercks you were talking about Like others here have said Ralph was a friend to everyone, I first met Ralph in the years that I ran the LPO, he was always very helpfull with advice and contants needed to help with what ever I needed to make the tournament happen.

    Rest In Peace Ralph you will be missed.

    chris-tuckner
    Hastings/Isle MN
    Posts: 12318
    January 2, 2012 at 11:51 pm #1023612

    I remember the row of chairs up by the till where Ralph held court. Yep, you could hear a story or two from those ‘Ol boys.
    RIP Ralph, may you lines be tight for eternity!

    john_steinhauer
    p4
    Posts: 2998
    January 3, 2012 at 12:14 am #1023623

    I’m glad to see that many of you know him and have great memories and knowledge from him as well. I know I’m going to miss him very much, my summers wont be the same without carrying the gas cans down to the pontoon for him or spending a summer afternoon on the water with him. He will be greatly missed by many!

    I thought I would let everyone that is wanting to attend know that his wake is Wed at Mahn Funeral home from 4-7 and the funeral is on Thurs at St Paul Lutheran church at 11 in Red Wing.

    The address for the church is 320 West Avenue. Red Wing, MN

    And Mahn funeral home is 602 Plum Street Red Wing, MN

    marty_hahn
    New Prague,MN
    Posts: 52
    January 3, 2012 at 1:28 am #1023670

    I will miss that big smile and wave from the pontoon boat whenever we passed on the river. Ralph’s knowledge and ability on the river were and will always be legendary.
    The river will not be the same with out him.
    My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends.

    hairjig
    Cudahy, Wis.
    Posts: 937
    January 3, 2012 at 2:44 pm #1023847

    Rest In Peace Ralph, He has gone to that big river in the sky to educate the heavens on fishing !!

    GlennRengo
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 73
    January 3, 2012 at 7:09 pm #1023991

    Scott, I remeber that as well. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about the event (both the tournament and the b-fast).

    Here’s to Ralph Diercks, everyones friend. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew and knew of him.

    Jack Naylor
    Apple Valley, MN
    Posts: 5668
    January 4, 2012 at 6:20 am #1024221

    RIP Ralph, I got the pleasure of meeting and getting to know him at Four SEasons before Steve Vick got Evert’s off the ground. If Ralph wasn’t in the store he’d be around the back somewhere, and I always made it a point to find him, say hi and have a chat for a few minutes. He’d always wave going by on the river, Always a real gentleman.
    Prayers sent
    Jack

    mbenson
    Minocqua, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3842
    January 4, 2012 at 2:37 pm #1024309

    Quote:

    Here’s to Ralph Diercks, everyones friend. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew and knew of him.

    Never knew the man, but wished I could have met him. My prayers to you that knew him!!! Rest in Peace, Mr. Diercks!!!

    Mark

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