Ralph Edward Adamson of Plymouth, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on January
3 rd , 2025, at the age of 81.
Ralph was born on March 28 th , 1943, to Ralph Elton and Della Mae Adamson in St.
Louis, Missouri. He was close to his paternal Grandparents Tom and Ora Mae
Adamson of Ravenswood, Missouri and spent part of his early childhood living with
them on the farm and attending a one-room school, a welcome change from the big city.
Ralph and his whole family later moved for his father’s work to Minneapolis, for a time
and then to Lake Wissota, WI where he learned to hunt and fish and further develop his
life-long love of the outdoors. His teen years found the family in Racine, WI where
Ralph graduated from Washington Park H.S. in 1961. He was quarterback on the
Football team and lettered in Wrestling. As a teen he was also a member of the
Masonic Order of DeMolay,
He spent a couple of years as an undergrad at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
planning to pursue a teaching degree in history. He became interested in commercial or
advertising photography and left college to explore that career path. Ralph secured a
position with Ferderbar Studios in West Allis, WI in 1963 as a photo lab technician. In
1965, his photography journey took a detour when he was drafted into the Army during
the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Germany from 1965 to 1967 assigned to the U.S.
Army Signal Corps as a radio relay and carrier operator. Upon his honorable discharge,
he returned to Ferderbar Studios, as a full-time commercial photographer and worked
with many corporate clients over the next ten years. Over Ralph’s lengthy career as a
commercial photographer, he worked in the advertising department of many companies:
Hans Keerl Photography, Snap-On Tools, Kohler Company, and finished his career as a
freelance photographer.
He met and fell in love with the love of his life Dena Rae Nohlquist in 1967. They were
married on June 15 th , 1968, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have two children and two
grandchildren.
Ralph loved the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, bird watching or a simple walk in the woods,
he enjoyed it all. He was a lifelong Packers fan and a fan of Indy Car and F1 racing.
Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving, kind,
funny, and generous man, always willing to lend a hand or share a laugh. And he would
never turn down a chocolate malt or a chocolate chip cookie.
Ralph was actively involved in many community organizations during his lifetime. He
was a member of the Wauwatosa Jaycees; he was elected Village Trustee of Silver
Lake, WI; member and President of the Wisconsin Professional Photographers
Association; member of the Plymouth Arts Foundation & Gallery; active member of
Ladewig Zinkgraf American Legion Post 243, Plymouth; and volunteered for projects at
Camp American Legion.
He is survived by his wife Dena Adamson, of Plymouth, WI; daughter Kelly (Brian)
Klaschus of Black Earth, WI; son Brent (Melanie) Adamson of Grafton, WI;
granddaughter Karly Adamson (significant other, Evan) Plymouth, WI; grandson Alex
Klaschus (significant other, Sophie) of Colorado Springs, CO; sister-in-law Janice
Nohlquist of Plymouth, WI; nephew John (Tracie) Adamson of Benbrook, TX.
He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Elton Adamson, mother Della Mae
Adamson, half-brother Bruce Adamson, half-sister LuAnn Adamson, mother-in-law
Betty Nohlquist and his grand-dog, Izzy.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 16 th , 2025, from 1pm – 4pm at Suchon
Funeral Home in Plymouth, WI. Military Honors will be presented by Ladewig Zinkgraf
American Legion Post 243 at 4 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to: Wisconsin Parkinson
Association or Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
The Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit
www.suchonfh.com.
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