Ralph E. Jumbeck

CAMBRIDGE/CHICAGO-"May you be safe. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease." These are a few words how Ralph Earl Jumbeck, age 73, will be remembered. He was easy to befriend since he was open-hearted, authentic and practical. A simple man who lived a simple life, he served as a source of inspiration through his art for all of us. Ralph evolved from working for Snap-On Tools to being an accomplished, self-taught artist developing his own unique, mixed-media creations. While Ralph claimed to have tapped into his talents late in age, he believed everyone has the capacity to create. He said once that his art was the source of his salvation during troubled times, and that he wondered what his life would have been like had he discovered this passion sooner. Nonetheless, Ralph became a man symbolic of possibility for those he knew. He became someone that encouraged the improbable and invested himself wholeheartedly in the process of creation. Art made Ralph who he was. Ralph displayed and sold his artwork in numerous coffee shops, cafes, galleries, and summer art fairs. He was also an adventurous soul. Taking numerous trips to Mexico and South America, he grew especially fond of Costa Rica. It became his getaway, a place for him to create and thrive in the culture of a foreign place. Ralph talked about drinking coconut milk every morning by the beach, something so simple, but he always loved to do. He would reminisce about times driving with a friend through Mexico, on their way to Costa Rica, like free spirits open to the roaming roads. Ralph told of a time they inadvertently brushed with the hands of the law, having mistakenly missed a check point. While this would be something scary for most, he found there was little that a genuine smile could not accomplish, and they were soon on their way after an apologetic explanation. Ralph was an independent, progressive thinker and was outraged at injustices in the world. He adopted the wisdom of contributing to an evolving world peace by living well. Ralph believed in Oneness. He believed we are all connected, and that there are things mysteriously at work that guide us into who we come to be. We’re unsure if Ralph realized the impact he made on the lives he loved and knew; we tried to tell him. We, his friends, tried to make known before he passed that we understand what he stood for, and that his legacy of simplicity and love will live on. He will forever live on as a part of this Great Adventure called life through all those he touched, and we will continue to create with him...together into infinity. Ralph is survived by his dear friends; Dawn and Peter Feneht, Brent Gerlach and Stephen Miller; niece Paula (Bob) Woodlief; three nephews, Tom, Mark and Phil Reinhart; and numerous art lovers and friends in Cambridge, including his neighbors in the Greenvale Senior housing, Madison and Chicago. He is preceded in death by his parents; Felix and Lillian Jumbeck; and siblings, Evelyn, Allan and Ronald. We want to thank U.W. Hospital doctors and nurses, Golden Living Center staff in Ft. Atkinson and AseraCare Hospice Team for their exceptional care of our dear Ralph, and especially for the Christmas tree that they made for him. His friends and family already miss him dearly. A Celebration of his Life & artwork will be held on the Solstice June 21, 2014 with a potluck in Madison. This will be open to all to honor a life well lived. Details can be found on Google+ for Ralph Jumbeck or email Ralph.Celebration@gmail.com. Per Ralph, there will be no funeral. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420