Lmackattack Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My grandfather Ralph Ostrom passed away early this morning. He was in his early 90's and my #1 role model. Born in the great depression , married at age 19 before he shipped off to fight in WWII . Rode the HMS Queen Marry to war when it was a troop transport. He was a U.S. army Medic who served in England and Alaska. Missed the Normandy landing by dumb luck of catching the flu. He later returned and continued his job of operating a small family machine shop in Chicago. He started with little to nothing and made a successful all American business. He always provided for his family and made sure we all had a good life. He was a true American hero who made his own dreams come true without hand outs. He was sickened by how this once prosperous country has fallen into greed and political failure. Felt we left to many idiots at the controls and let them sell us down a river.I Just wonder about all he has seen thru his eyes and how much has changed in his 90 + years on this earth. Sadly I will just never fully understand life as he knew it but think he is right when he said the each new generation will never know how good life really could be if we just slowed down and looked around every now and then. I saw him last Sunday afternoon before leaving on business and on one of his final days could still give a firm handshake and look you in the eye. He will forever be missed but never forgottenR.I.P Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I truly understand how you can miss someone such as him. I miss my father and probably think of him still each day. Mine was shipped over on the Queen Elizabeth while it was a troop carrier also. He landed on Omaha Beech but did not have to go in until they cleared the beech of all the dead GI's.My Sympathies go out to you and your families.mike 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113935 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyGunner Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds like an outstanding man, and a huge everloving Patriot loyal to his country. My condolences. Quote The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by the people who vote for a living.The government can only "give" someone what they first take from another. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
joes mack Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 sorry to hear of your loss. i know what its like to lose your hero i lost mine 9 years ago. my grand father was the one who bought the firetruck that ive been working on trying to keep one of his favorite things in the world going. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113946 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My condolences to you and the family. Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Trent, So sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113962 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Sorry to hear of your loss. You were fortunate to have him as a role model. Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113969 Share on other sites More sharing options...
umodelnut Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I'm very sorry for your loss, My papa is my number one role model too. I hope he lives as long as your grandpa did. My mom always says think of the good times you had with them. Vinny Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113974 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Our family's prayers go out to your family. So sorry for your loss of a great man. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-113978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike69mackman Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 my condolances on your loss Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114001 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaddeusW Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Sorry to hear of your loss Trent.I lost both of my grandfathers a while ago. My fathers father during 1997 and my mothers father in 2000 (just 5 days after the new year.). Then I lost my father in 2003 (he had been bed ridden with severe brain damage due to a massive stroke since 1994). I too have a picture of my grandfather in uniform. It was taken during/after WWII and is hanging on my wall at home.All the good men in my life have been long gone. Its a terrible thing to see them go. Quote -Thad What America needs is less bull and more Bulldog! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
slpwlker Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Sorry to hear about your loss. My grandfather died when I was on the road about 1.5 years ago. I was home when my grandmother died. It sucks. and I feel your pain Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114024 Share on other sites More sharing options...
storkmack Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Sorry for your loss. -Brad Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114056 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Sorry too for your loss, sounds like he was a great man. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Our condolences for your loss Trent. Sounded like a wonderful man. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114211 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCR Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 My deepest sympathy to you and your family It always hurts to lose such an important person in our lives and only time will help heal the void. Quote Denny330-550-6020A "Mack Pack" Charter Member Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114215 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vision386 Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 Trent,i too am sorry for your loss,and i know just what its like,i miss my father and grandfather everyday,they were my role models as well. Between the two of them they taught me all i know about the trucking business (which was about half of what they knew!) i enjoyed reading about your grandad,the WWII era truly was "America's Greatest Generation" in my opinion.........................................Mark Quote Mack Truck literate. Computer illiterate. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114281 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 trent, my family feels your pain, we as a generation will never know the good life the older gen. knew. alot of good info. has been lost over the years. we will keep your family in our evening prayers.gg2 Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/24463-ralph-ostrom/#findComment-114286 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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