Ralph Schauss

December 19, 1921 — January 12, 2013

Ralph L. Schauss died on January 12, 2013 at the age of 91. Anyone who knew Ralph would agree he lived an unconventional life. He was a man who lived well, laughed often and loved much. He gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children. He looked for the best in others and gave the best he had. He leaves the world a better place than he found it. As a young boy growing up in the 1920's, he was always looking for a way to make a dollar (or in those days, even just a dime!). In the springtime, he would swim across the Platte river and collect wool from the carcasses of dead sheep to sell for a whopping 50 cents a bag! Barely making it through high school (Class of 1940 NCHS), he decided the Army Air Corps (5th Air Force Division) would be a grand way to see the world and make some money doing it. He served in the South Pacific for almost five years getting paid $21 a month (after a raise). He attained the rank of Staff Sargent and received battle stars for the battles of New Guinea and Solomon Islands. In 1947 he began construction of the Bend of the River (Riverside Mobile Home Park). His son, Steven, now operates the Park in North Casper. In 1954, he began his love of the land by prospecting for minerals, ores, panning for gold, drilling for oil. He staked over 10,000 uranium claims all over the western United States down to Mexico. (His sons Steve and Bill ran several energy operations for him.) By the 1970's he owned over 200,000 coal leases. He was the owner of John E. Bums Drilling. He never lacked appreciation for Earth's beauty. In the early 1960's he constructed the Ramada Inn (now the Parkway Plaza) with his brother, Bob and childhood best friend, Clint Wyatt (by now married to his sister, Margaret). Being the right wing conservative he was, the lots the Ramada was built on were named Goldwater. He thought it quite humorous that the hotel had only right wings! He had a lifelong interest in keeping the body healthy and at its best. He spent many years developing VitaeElixxer, his herb supplement. His daughter, Laurie has continued his pursuits in healing. He started and owned many other businesses, served on many boards and received recognitions. He was an idea man, an entrepreneur, a man always looking for ways to leave the world a better place. It was just small things to him, but big to the receiver. Like, giving Dave "the can man" who lived in a box, a room at his hotel, a waitress down on her luck some money, providing jobs for 1,000's of people, helping others start a business or just an empathic phone call to an acquaintance down in the dumps. All he asked for from others, was usually, a prayer for him. Whether it was his Greek friends, Catholic or Baptist, he wanted all his bases covered. He believed God would appreciate his good deeds and works for others. His "church" was his Ramada Inn Coffee Group who often met daily to talk local city gossip, politics and whatever else was on their minds. Their closeness helped many a soul to survive. He was one of the last of the original coffee group. -- Ralph has touched so many lives in so many ways over his 91 years. We will never know who they all are. Just that they loved him and were loved by him. As his family, we wish to thank you for filling his life with joy, laughter and hope. He leaves behind his daughters from his second marriage to Lorraine, Lynn (Dan) Bryan and Susan (John) Heid (children Sabrina, Kim and Trustin). His third wife is Frances and they have five children. Becky Bulfer (children Daniel, David and Shelby), Steven Schauss (son Zeb and his wife Cindy and their sons Hunter and Mason), Bill (deceased)(and his son, Elliott Davis), Debi and husband Mark Stewart (sons, Dalton and Riley), Laurie Wilson McNally and husband Dave McNally (son Ashley Wilson). He also leaves behind his companion of many years, Patricia Washachek and her children. Rodney, Dan, Mike, Marolyn and Carolyn and their families. He was the first-born to Hank and Minnie Schauss on December 19,1921 in Casper Wyoming. His younger brother, Bob Schauss, preceded him in death in 2000. His son, Bill, went to God in 2010. His sister, Margaret Wyatt, left this Earth just one day before Ralph. It was her plan to be at the Pearly Gates first to travel together with her beloved brother to their new adventure. Their surviving sister is Eileen Coughlin and sister-in-law Liz Schauss and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be at 3:30 PM, Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Bustard's Funeral Home. Viewing will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, January 18, 2013 at Bustard's. Interment will be at Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Natrona County United Veterans Council and the Wyoming Army National Guard. Memorials may be left to the donor's choice in memory of Ralph.

Service

Saturday, January 19, 2013 3:30pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601

Visitation

Friday, January 18, 2013 4:00pm - 8:00pm