Ralph W. Krupke, 69, of Roselle, a former longtime athletic director, coach and teacher at Lake Park High School in Roselle, died of cancer Monday, June 9, 2003 in Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village.

"I only knew Ralph for the past five years, but he was one of the most influential people in my life," said Dave Smith, the athletic director at Lake Park High. "I learned so much from him in such a short time, because that's the kind of person he was. He had a way of working and dealing with people that really made an impact on you."

Mr. Krupke worked at Lake Park for 33 years, 28 of them as athletic director. His contributions were so significant that the east campus stadium was renamed Krupke Field in his honor in 1999 after renovations.

"The man bled blue and white," said Edward Wardzala, the east campus principal, referring to the school's colors. "Ralph was the finest gentleman you ever met. To him there was no such thing as a minor sport, and that's what made him special."

Mr. Krupke, who retired from Lake Park in 1992, was named to the Illinois Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame. For his 45 years of volunteerism, he was named an honorary referee at the Illinois High School Association's state track meet this year.

Raised on his family's farm in Beloit, Wis., Mr. Krupke aspired from an early age to be a teacher and coach. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

"He was a farm boy and worked like a plow horse," said Jerry Blew, a former principal at Lake Park. "He was always working, whether it was a freshman basketball game or a varsity contest. If he had to put in 16 hours, he put in 16 hours."

In 1959, Mr. Krupke began at Lake Park as a physical education teacher, where he also coached football, wrestling and track. By the time he retired, he had accumulated a host of awards and recognition. He was president of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and was named the Midwest Athletic Director of the Year. The association also named him Outstanding Athletic Director and he published articles in its journal.

"My father loved being around young people," said his daughter Heather Dunlap. "He wanted to see them become more than what they ever thought they could be."

Other survivors include his wife, Patricia; a son, Jim; two daughters, Jennifer Beck and Bridget Perey; a brother, Howard; a sister, Mae Abraham; and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday in Salerno's Rosedale Chapel, 450 W. Lake St., Roselle. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Walter Catholic Church, 40 W. Pine St., Roselle.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 12, 2003.

Ralph W. Krupke, 69, of Roselle, a former longtime athletic director, coach and teacher at Lake Park High School in Roselle, died of cancer Monday, June 9, 2003 in Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village.

"I only knew Ralph for the past five years, but he was one of the most influential people in my life," said Dave Smith, the athletic director at Lake Park High. "I learned so much from him in such a short time, because that's the kind of person he was. He had a way of working and dealing with people that really made an impact on you."

Mr. Krupke worked at Lake Park for 33 years, 28 of them as athletic director. His contributions were so significant that the east campus stadium was renamed Krupke Field in his honor in 1999 after renovations.

"The man bled blue and white," said Edward Wardzala, the east campus principal, referring to the school's colors. "Ralph was the finest gentleman you ever met. To him there was no such thing as a minor sport, and that's what made him special."

Mr. Krupke, who retired from Lake Park in 1992, was named to the Illinois Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame. For his 45 years of volunteerism, he was named an honorary referee at the Illinois High School Association's state track meet this year.

Raised on his family's farm in Beloit, Wis., Mr. Krupke aspired from an early age to be a teacher and coach. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

"He was a farm boy and worked like a plow horse," said Jerry Blew, a former principal at Lake Park. "He was always working, whether it was a freshman basketball game or a varsity contest. If he had to put in 16 hours, he put in 16 hours."

In 1959, Mr. Krupke began at Lake Park as a physical education teacher, where he also coached football, wrestling and track. By the time he retired, he had accumulated a host of awards and recognition. He was president of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and was named the Midwest Athletic Director of the Year. The association also named him Outstanding Athletic Director and he published articles in its journal.

"My father loved being around young people," said his daughter Heather Dunlap. "He wanted to see them become more than what they ever thought they could be."

Other survivors include his wife, Patricia; a son, Jim; two daughters, Jennifer Beck and Bridget Perey; a brother, Howard; a sister, Mae Abraham; and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday in Salerno's Rosedale Chapel, 450 W. Lake St., Roselle. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Walter Catholic Church, 40 W. Pine St., Roselle.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 12, 2003.

From the 1992 Yearbook

Ralph Krupke was Inducted in 1996 into the Illinois Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame

Ralph started teaching in 1959 and spent his entire career at Lake Park High School. During his career he always taught at least two classes along with his other responsibilities. He served as the athletic director from 1964 until his retirement in 1992. Ralph is credited with promoting the importance of the state association during the 1980’s. Ralph was president of our association in 1985. In 1983 he was the recipient of the “Class AA outstanding Athletic Director of the Year.” In 1984, Ralph was chosen by National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors “Midwest Athletic Director of the Year.” The National Federation gave Ralph it highest award in 1984 by bestowing on him the “National Federation Citation.” He served as the head bench at the IHSA state wrestling meet since 1964. He also held that same position for the NJCAA wrestling tournament for 1984-1989 and the NCAA wrestling finals in 1970. He also served as the assistant clerk of the course for the IHSA State Track Meet from 1966-72. Ralph was a firm believer in community involvement. He has worked as an advisor to local park district programs, fire, and police training programs, chaired the Roselle Swim Organization along with the Loins Club Awards Banquet for Athletes.

https://www.illinoisad.org/page/3417/article/231