Obituary of Ralph Arthur Lebold

Died, surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday October 31st, 2017, at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener at the age of 83.

Ralph was born May 12th, 1934 in New Hamburg to Elmer and Katie (Leis) Lebold.

Loving husband of Eileen (Erb) Lebold of 62 years, married on August 27th, 1955.

Father of Connie Bender (Tony), Marvin Lebold, and Cindy Lebold (Scott Beech). Grandpa to Luke (Amelia), Adam (Megan), Jérémie, Juliette, Isaac, Micah, Thomas and Laura.

Brother of Marie Jantzi (Clare), Clare Lebold (Gloria). Brother in law to Karen Lebold. Pre-deceased by his parents Elmer and Katie Lebold, brother Floyd Lebold in childhood, brother Harold Lebold, sister Grace Zehr, brother in law Delford Zehr, and nephew Dennis Zehr.

Brother in law to Leona Erb, Anna Mae Gascho, Lorene Shantz (Lowell), Ruby Erb, Elmer Erb (Adeline), Norma Zehr, Florence Gascho (Dave), Lloyd Erb (Laurene).  Pre-deceased by Mike and Mary Erb, Edna Erb, Lorne Erb, Nelson Erb, Eva and Wes MacKinnon, Allen Gascho, Harold Zehr.

Remembered by many Lebold and Erb nieces and nephews.

After a grade eight education, Ralph went on to receive the following degrees:

Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Mennonite College (1958), Bachelor of Divinity from Goshen College Biblical Seminary (1961), Master of Theology from Crozer Theological Seminary (1968), Doctorate of Ministry from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto (1980). Ralph's career included several leadership roles:

Minister at Valleyview Mennonite Church (1961-74), where he initiated the Congregational Supervised Pastoral Education program. Conference Minister (1974-79), serving both the Western Ontario Mennonite Conference and Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec, pre-cursors to Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. President of Conrad Grebel University College (1979-89). Director of Theological Education with Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries (1989-97).

Ralph was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (1991), which changed his life dramatically. It robbed him of some health and altered his vocational choices.

Throughout his career, Ralph was involved in larger church-wide ministry across North America. He was passionate about pastoral ministry, pastoral leadership training, and marriage and family therapy. Ralph was instrumental in getting women pastors into leadership roles in Mennonite churches in Ontario. Ralph was a founder of Hidden Acres Camp and Shalom Counselling. He was a charter member of Waterloo North Mennonite Church.

After growing up on a farm, Ralph and Eileen purchased (1970) a “hobby” farm outside Hanover, where he was able to continue his passion for farming until 2000.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Ralph with his family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday November 2, 2017 from 6 – 8 p.m. and Friday November 3rd from 2 - 4 p.m. & 7 – 9 p.m.   The funeral service will be held at Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Rd., Waterloo on Saturday November 4, 2017 at 11 a.m. Reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.

The family expresses their appreciation for the compassionate care Ralph received at Grand River hospital over the past two weeks, and the loving support from our extended community.

Condolences for the family and in lieu of flowers donations to Hidden Acres and Shalom Counselling may be arranged through the funeral home at  www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.