In Memory of Ralph Oppenheimer
In Memory of Ralph Oppenheimer
Ralph Oppenheimer
Spouse: Eeva-Liisa Oppenheimer
Children: Juhan, Annina
Birthdate: June 1, 1953
Blessing: July 1, 1982
Ascension: October 3, 2021
Seonghwa Ceremony: October 8, 2021
Ralph grew up in the Riverdale section of the Bronx with his parents Hugo and Irma and his brother Melvin. He attended P.S. 24, J.H.S. 141, and Clinton High School before enrolling in American International College in Springfield, MA. Ralph was a remarkably skinny youngster and an excellent athlete. He enjoyed playing touch football, basketball, and softball with his many friends. Ralph certainly had a mischievous streak growing up as evidenced by the impromptu boxing matches and seltzer fights staged in the basement of his parents’ home. Irma would often wonder how the family could go through so much seltzer in such a short time.
Ralph attended Riverdale Jewish Center for worship and study and became a Bar Mitzvah in 1966. He spent several summers at Camp Eagle Hill where he was well-liked and excelled in activities. Ralph always enjoyed cards and board games, and also could often be found at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday nights. At age 17 his father passed away and he began his search for truth and deeper meaning in life. He continued his love for harness racing by working at the famed Hanover Shoe Farms in PA and Green Mountain Park in VT where he competed in an inter-collegiate race in 1974.
While attending American International College in Massachusetts, Ralph discovered the Unification movement and joined on February 12, 1975. He was deeply touched by God and filled with renewed love, hope, and passion for life and dedicated himself to sharing God's heart with others and building peace in our world. He was Blessed in marriage with Eeva-Liisa Ovaska in Madison Square Garden on July 1, 1982 by Reverend Sun Myung Moon and a year later welcomed their first child, Juhan to the world. Then after a 3 year period as pastor in Colorado Springs, Ralph and his family moved back to the Bronx for the Hometown Providence where he supported pastor Galvan and the NYC community through outreach activities and fundraising. He then served as the District Leader in Staten Island for 6 years, during which time their second child, Annina was born.
In 1995 the family moved to Brooklyn, where Ralph took on the role of District Leader and in 1997 he was ordained by our Heavenly Parents and True Parents with the mission of National Messiahship Providence for the Central African Republic and devoted the next twenty years of his life to working on bringing peace and true love to the country and all of its people. He created his own NGO, United to Serve Africa, and bravely traveled to the country countless times throughout his life, often staying for extended periods even during times of civil war. He joyfully worked to support the local community by leading education programs for the women and youth focusing on developing their individual skills and strived to bring unity between the religious and political figures through peaceful dialog and finding common ground. Throughout the years, Ralph met with each of the country's last 4 presidents and encouraged them to lead and uplift their citizens with a parental heart and was also able to meet with and award the current president with an Ambassador for Peace certificate. He would always return home sharing amazing stories, pictures, and beautiful handcrafted artwork for his family and friends. His experience with the Unification movement brought him across the globe, as he also traveled to Brazil, South Korea, Finland, Canada, and all around the United States.
Ralph was a grandfather to 4: Lumi (10) and Leo (6) from his son Juhan and wife Tamayo; Benjamin (3) and Aubrey (1 mo) to his daughter Annina and husband Kevin. He took this role very seriously, always willing and ready to provide a tickle or joke, and loved planning trips with his wife and grandkids to the beach, park, or arcade. Right up until he got sick, Ralph continued to work on building peace in his family, community, and the world. He was a man of absolute faith and embodied love in his life just like this quote from the Bible, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Ralph was truly one of a kind with a deep heart, generous, funny, and treated those around him with compassion and mutual respect regardless of their religious beliefs, external appearance, or level of wealth. He recognized all of humanity as a global family with God being our Heavenly Parents. He bravely challenged societal norms and was not motivated by money or possessions but instead focused on attaining treasures of the heart and bringing joy to God and all of God's children. He will be missed dearly by all who were fortunate to know him and be in his presence.
Condolences may be sent to:
Eeva-Liisa Oppenheimer (20 Thrasher Ct. Marlboro, NJ 07746)
Donations may be offered via: www.gofundme.com
