Ralph ''Sam'' Dye

RALPH 'SAM' DYE MUSCATINE, Iowa - Ralph Sam E. Dye, 89, of Muscatine passed away on Monday, November 22, 2010, at his home. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the Muscatine American Legion, starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30, at the Rock Island National Cemetery. Casketbearers will be post members from the American Legion Post No. 27: Carter Hendrix, Brenton Schillig, Dennis Dye, and Ronald Nading. Honorary casketbearers will be Ken Dye, Randy Dye, Dixie Hendrix, Kirk Dye, Jessica Nading, Gina Hendrix, and Jessie Castleberry. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Geo M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home. Memorials can be directed to American Legion Post No. 27 in Ralph's name. Ralph Sam Edward Dye was born on October 23, 1921, in Muscatine, the son of Samuel Wilbur and Ruth A. Cassin Dye. Ralph proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He had worked and was retired from Thatcher Plastics. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 27, VFW Post 1565 and the Moose Lodge of Muscatine. In his earlier years...[more]

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Ralph loved aviation, holding a pilot's license and also working as an aircraft mechanic. His children have many memories of flying with their father. He also enjoyed container gardening and traveling to visit his children, even going to China to visit his son while he was in the service. Most of all, he loved to visit and have a drink with all the veterans at the local American Legion. He loved technology and electronic gadgets. He often was one of the first to buy a new electric gadget as soon as it came out, such as the VCR or a brand new camera. Above all, his greatest joy in life was his granddaughters and great-grandchildren. Ralph will be deeply missed by his children, Randy Dye of Washington state, Kenneth Dye and his wife, Han Byeol Dye Cheong (Star) of Iowa City, Dennis Dye and his wife, Patricia, of Arizona, Kirk Dye of California, and Dixie Hendrix of Muscatine; his grandchildren, Jessica Nading, Gina Hendrix, Sarah Jansen, Tamara Dye, Emily Simmering, and Dawn Woodword; great grandchildren, Carter Hendrix, Jensen and Sienna Nading, Brenton Schillig, Colton and Trenton Hendrix, and Siri Dye; lifelong family friend, Willa Drake and her husband, Rick, of Muscatine; and another lifelong friend, John Kelly. He was preceded in death by a son, Ralph E. Dye Jr., in infancy; his parents; and one brother, Harlan Dye.