Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Poehner , Ralph J. July 2005 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com July 16, 2005, 10:30 pm The Bakersfield Californian Poehner, Ralph J. 1915 - 2005 Ralph J. Poehner Services: Mon., July 18, 12 noon Ralph John Poehner was born in Bakersfield, California on April 3, 1915 to George and Mary Poehner. He was raised by his Auntie Reeder in East Bakersfield. Ralph had two brothers, George and Verdo all of whom attended Kern County Union High School. Ralph graduated in 1933. Upon graduation, Ralph needed a job so he got on the trolley on Chester Avenue and rode it to the Circle where he got off and began knocking on doors. He walked and knocked until he reached an auto parts store on 26th and Chester. There he met Jack Boss, the owner of Jack Boss Auto Parts, who gave him his first job. This began a long very fruitful career in the auto parts business. After a few years at Bosss, he changed jobs and went to work for Frazier Wright Co. He worked there until WWII broke out and he moved down to Compton to support the war effort by being an airplane inspector for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. When the war ended in 1945, Ralph returned to Bakersfield and continued to work for Frazier Wright until he decided to go into business for himself in 1951. He opened Ralphs Piston Ring Service and operated that business for the next 40 years, until his retirement in 1991. While at Bosss Ralph met and married his little brown eyed beauty, Marie Fuegere. Her Christ-like example cause Ralph to make a commitment to Christ and he became a devoted member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Bakersfield. She was a nurse at Centinnela Hospital in Los Angeles when they met. She moved to Bakersfield after their June 14th 1938 wedding and they built their lives by working together and playing together for over 65 years. They had one child, Ralph Henry Poehner who worked in Ralphs Piston Ring Service with his parents until his dad retired. Ralphs greatest interest in life, after his family, was golf. He was Bakersfield Country Clubs longest standing member of fifty years until yesterday. He played nearly everyday while he was able and most of his best friends were also club members. Marie and Ralph started a birthday group many years ago that met for dinner each month at BCC. In December each year they had no birthdays so they got together and celebrated Jesus birthday. Maries favorite dessert for this event was snow balls ice cream balls rolled in coconut yummy! Other interests that Ralph had were fishing for trout and salmon on the Rogue River, in the 1940s he played baseball. He was a left- handed first baseman and had a real passion for the game. Ralph leaves behind his son Ralph H. and Mary Poehner. They will miss him, but have every confidence that they will see him again. They look forward to that day with anticipation. Visitation will be held at Hopson-Anspach Chapel, 620 Oregon St. (Oregon & Baker St.) from 2-8 pm Sunday. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. at the same location. Ralphs life will be celebrated at 12 noon on Monday July 18th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 124 Columbus. Interment will immediately follow in the mausoleum at Hillcrest Memorial Park on Nile Street. Lunch will be served at Bakersfield Country Club at 2 p.m. all friends and family are welcome. Hopson-Anspach Family Mortuary Legacy.com Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 7/16/2005. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased. http://www.legacy.com/bakersfield/LegacyHome.asp File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/poehner8388gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb