Obituary

March 10, 1933 - May 11, 2026 Ralph Zerweck was born in Oakland, the oldest of three children of Ernest (Ernie) and Mary New Zerweck. The family moved to 14th Street in San Jose, where he grew up. He delivered newpapers, and when he had enough funds, he would take a flying lesson.

Ralph earned his private pilot’s license at age 16. He always loved to fly and was an excellent pilot, with commercial, IFR, and seaplane ratings. He also loved electricity, so he attended San Jose Tech while his younger twin brother and sister went to San Jose High School across the street. He did well and after graduating, went directly into an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, where he was a master electrician for over 65 years.

During the Korean conflict, Ralph was drafted by the army. He married his first wife Vernice and they headed to Philadelphia, where he was on a ‘Cold War’ Nike site for two years. There, son Steve Zerweck was born. Also in Pennsylvania, Ralph was sponsored by his father-in-law into the Masonic Fraternity in 1955. He was raised to a Master Mason in 1957. Much later he joined Scottish Rite, and in 1992 was created a Noble of the South Bay Shrine, where he served with distinction for 34 years.

Returning to the Bay Area, daughter Lorie was born and the family moved to the Villa Del Monte neighborhood in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He formed a partnership with Bob Moore to establish Economy Electric, where they wired many commercial buildings, including NASA at Moffett Field, for over 13 years.

After his and Vernice’s divorce, Ralph bought property on Adams Ridge and began designing, engineering, and building his dream house, a 16-sided hexa-decagon with a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay. Economy Electric went in a different direction, so Ralph sold his share and worked for several electrical contracting firms as a foreman and then service electrician. He shined at this.

On July 26, 1975, Ralph married Susan Foster and became stepdad to Robin, age six, and Brian, age five. He and Susan purchased a 1961 Cessna Skylane. They named it Songbird for the treble clef he put on the tail to commemorate Susan’s singing career.

The family flew everywhere, camped across the country, and later every year in Johnson Creek, Idaho. At a fly-in in Columbia, California, a member of the Santa Clara County Airmen’s Association (SCCAA) noticed them camping alone and invited Ralph and Susan to bring chairs and join their campsite.

They joined the SCCAA then and there and for over 35 years flew with this wonderful group of general-aviation pilots. We did monthly fly-ins and visited many great places in the United States, including Monument Valley, the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, Branson, Missouri, Death Valley, and many others. Monthly meetings with speakers on aviation were very rewarding as was the camaraderie between the flying families.

Ralph was often flight-chair and Susan was newsletter editor and president several times. Unfortunately, SCCAA disbanded due to ‘aging out,’ but members and friends still meet for breakfast at Effie’s Restaurant in Campbell every Sunday.

Ralph retired at age 62 and he and Susan bought a motorhome. They stayed busy traveling to over 35 countries, flying a lot, and driving their Motorhomus Hummungus all over the United States. At age 83, Ralph decided to sell the airplane as they weren’t flying as much.

Songbird flew away to Colorado on August 3, 2016 to a lovely young family. Ralph loved the Santa Cruz Mountains, his neighbors, and friends. He was always there to help, and he could fix anything. Charlie Norman, the “unofficial mayor” of the Summit Road area for decades, would often call on Ralph to fix the generator or water system for the school and help with other local community needs.

Ralph and Susan built a picnic area on their three-acre property to host an annual Adams Road picnic, so neighbors could get to know one another. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family picnic there. Ralph was one-of-a-kind and a true gentleman. His word was his honor. He was a good listener, a loving husband, a great dad, and a dear friend.

Ralph passed away of congestive heart failure on Monday, May 11, 2026, after being on hospice for almost six months. He leaves behind his children, Steve and Lorie Zerweck; wife Susan Zerweck; step-daughter Robin Foster Andersen, granddaughters Kiley Andersen, Nikki Andersen Moreno and husband Alex, and great-grandchildren Hank and Harlow Moreno; Step-son Brian Foster, wife Katherine, and grandchildren Connor and Trent Foster; Grandson Mike Zerweck and wife Liz, great-grandchildren Amelia and Carter; Siblings David (Dede) Zerweck and Marianne (Poppy) Zerweck Tanner; and his brother-in-law Robert Hartwell.

A celebration of life and picnic was held in late June at the Zerweck place. Donations in his name can be sent to Shrine Children's Northern California, 2426 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817.