Ralph Eugene Tomkiewicz, M.D., was born at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 8, 1930, to Roman Tomkiewicz and Elise (Giguere) Tomkiewicz. He lived in Milwaukee for 21 years, in Racine for almost 50 years, and numerous places for his medical studies and military service obligations. He died June 27, 2011.
Graduate of Immaculate Conception Parish, and Bay View High School with honors, both in Milwaukee. Graduate of Marquette University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science and Philosophy, with honors. Naval Reserve Officer Training Candidate graduate in 1952, with service from 1952 to 1955 during the Korean War with additional time in Vietnam, in 1954. Achieved the rank of full lieutenant and served on both the U.S.S. Bayfield and the LST 822. Attended Marquette University School of Medicine from 1955 to 1959, graduating in 1959. Interned at Saint Charles Hospital, Toledo, Ohio, from June 1959 to June 1960, with residency in Psychiatry at Cleveland Psychiatric Institute, 1960 to 1963. Practiced psychiatry in Racine and Kenosha from June 1963 to 2005. Established the Psychiatric Unit at Kenosha’s Saint Catherine’s Hospital in 1964. Was on staff at Kenosha Memorial Hospital, Saint Mary’s and Saint Luke’s, both in Racine, in addition to staff at Carthage College.
Ralph was an avid runner and tennis player, achieving tennis rankings throughout 1965 to 2002 in both the Wisconsin Tennis Association and the Midwest region. His running accomplishments included completing marathons in Milwaukee and Chicago. Ralph was fond of classical music, literature and history. He and his wife, Rita, held season tickets to the Chicago Lyric Opera, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Symphony and Milwaukee Florentine Opera for over 30 years. His favorite authors were John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway and his preferred composers were Chopin and Mahler.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Rita (Szrot) Tomkiewicz. They were married on August 13, 1955, with five children born over the next eight years: William, (wife Bonnie, daughters Anya and Perri), in Fairfax, California; Jane, (husband Ramon Echegaray, daughter, Elyse), in Brooklyn, New York; John, (“Jack,” wife Kris, sons Mark and John), Hartland, Wisconsin; Vincent, (wife Corinne Granof, daughter Hayley), Deerfield, Illinois; and, Joseph, currently, Lagos, Nigeria.
He will be greatly missed.
Relatives and friends may meet the family at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., Racine, for visitation on Friday, July 1, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30. Interment will be private.
The family suggest donations to the Racine Public Library Foundation, 75 Seventh St., Racine, Wisconsin, 53403-1201, 262-636-9170; or Racine Literacy Council, 734 Lake Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin, 53403, 262-632-9495.
MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
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