Ralph W. Hauenstein

Ralph Wilber Hauenstein, age 103, passed away on January 10, 2016 after a long and fulfilling life. Born in Ft. Wayne, IN on March 20, 1912 he was the son of Leon and Mary (Woodworth) Hauenstein. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Grace Byrnes; his grandson, Timothy Hauenstein and his daughter, Mary Stahl. He is survived by his sons, Ralph D (Carolyn) Hauenstein and John Thomas Hauenstein; nine grandchildren, Maureen (Bruce) McIntyer, Gerald (Cynthia) Stahl, James (Clairie) Stahl. Dianne (Eric) Knapper, R. David (Nicole) Hauenstein, Suzanne (Michael) Miller, Kathryn (Gregory) Asken, John (Kimberly) Hauenstein, Brian (Yukiko) Hauenstein; 21 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Coming to Grand Rapids in 1924, he was to become an advocate and benefactor for his community, his country, and the world. He was City Editor of the Grand Rapids Hearld (1937-1940), Colonel serving on the Eisenhower Staff WWII, where he was Chief of Intelligence Branch Headquarters-European Theater of Operations G-2 U.S. Army,  awarded the Order of the British Empire by the British Government,  awarded the French Legion of Honor by the French Government, 50 year member of Army-Navy Club of Washington D.C., former member of Kent County Compensation Committee, member of St. Stephen Church, consultant in the Executive Office of the President of the United States (1960), member of the Commission to Russia to observe their first election, member of Rotary Club, International Past President of Sierra International, member of the Holy Sepulcher International, observer of Vatican II Council, longtime member of Papal Foundation, Honorary Doctor Degrees Aquinas College and Grand Valley University, former owner of Werner Lahara Corp. of Grand Rapids, former President of  Tri Continental Trading Co., N.Y. with offices in European countries, lead contributor for the Aquinas College “Grace Hauenstein Library” and the “Timothy C. Hauenstein” Reynolds Township Library, former owner of Jacks Cookie Co., Boca Raton, FL. and established modern bakery in Haiti and Dominica Republic, Omicron Delta Kappa bestowed the Official Laurel Crowned Circle Award on the occasion of his 100thbirthday, member of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation, former member of the Jamestown Foundation, Washington, D.C., member of Cascade Country Club, member of the Grand Rapids University Club, founding member of the Van Andel Research Institute, co-founder of the Neuroscience Center, Mercy Hospital, member of the Grand Rapids Improvement Association, founder of the Hauenstein Presidential Studies Program, Grand Valley University, Honorary Chief of Police, Grand Rapids, and member of the Senior Neighbors, Grand Rapids. The family will receive friends at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to the mass at the church on Friday from 9 to 10am. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10am Friday at the Cathedral of St. Andrew Catholic Church followed by military honors.   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College or the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library in Howard City.

 Service Information