Ralph "Skip" L. Pilger, Jr.
June 20, 2013
Ralph “Skip” L. Pilger, Jr., 61, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013, at the Taylor Hospice House.
Skip was born October 4, 1951, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Ralph, Sr., and Aileen (Anderson) Pilger. He lived a portion of his life in Moline, Illinois. Skip graduated from Tech High in 1969 and from Grandview College in 1975. Skip worked for Principal Financial Group for 31 years, starting in 1970 while he was still in college, and then for Wells Fargo from May 2001 to the present. In 2003, he was nominated to attend a Sales and Service Conference in Maui, Hawaii.
One of Skip’s hobbies was collecting trains. His father worked for the railroad and Skip did as well, at Rock Island Railroad, in the summertime during high school and college. In 1972, he served as Secretary for one year with the Central Iowa Railroad Club which is now located at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. While living in Joliet, Illinois, he was a member of the Organ Club and served as its first President. Skip was also involved with Region XI Arabian Horse Association. He was the first Show Commissioner for Iowa from 1992 to the present. He was also the President and served on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Arabian Horse Association in 1992, the 13th largest club in the United States at that time.
Skip was a man of great integrity. He had a strong work ethic and was a great mentor and listener. He treated everyone equally. Skip had a heart of gold and was very dedicated in all that he did. But above all else, he loved his family and spending time with his precious grandchildren. He LOVED being “Papa Skip” and the most important thing he wanted each and every one of them to remember was how very much he loved them and he would always be in their hearts.
Skip is survived by his wife, Jolyn Pilger; step-daughters whom he loved as his own, Julie Palek, Jamie (Ryan) Thompson, Heather (Brian) Kauzlarich, and Sarah (Jeremy) Johnston; grandchildren, Sydney and Sawyer Palek, Rylie, Ava and Anica Thompson, Lylian and Faye Kauzlarich, Landon Graves, and Sevryn Johnston; and his sister, Sandra Pilger.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2013, at Adventure Life Reformed Church, 1700 8th Street SW in Altoona.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of Skip.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Marcia Treinen
06/23/2013
I met Skip when I joined the Iowa Arabian Horse Association in 1996. He was so knowledgeable and helpful to me with the rules of showing Class "A" horse shows. He was also pleasant to everyone at the shows. My sympathy and prayers are with Jolyn and family.
Joyce Young
06/23/2013
I wish to express a deep sympathy to the family. Ralph was a great co-worker at Principal. I worked on third shift with him for several years. He will be missed.
Kathy (Short) Roberts
06/23/2013
My condolences to Ralph's wife and family. I met Ralph in 1977 at Principal (then Bankers Life) and we became friends. We lost touch after awhile, and I had just recently been back in touch with him after 30 years, and was looking forward to catching up. Lots of good memories! Ralph was a good man, and he will be sorely missed...
Emmy Humphrey
06/23/2013
My deepest sympathy to the family,
I worked with Ralph at Principal for at least 20 years. He got me started on 3rd shift in the computer room, what memories. You could always go talk to him about anything and he would listen he was such a good friend. He will be missed, may he rest in peace.
Dave & Donna Haney
06/23/2013
Our deepest sympathy to Ralph's family. I had the pleasure of working with Ralph when I was assigned to Principal as the IBM customer engineer. He was just like a member of the family. May he rest in peace.
Sharon Dieke
06/23/2013
My condolences. I worked with Ralph at Wells Fargo. He was a good man and always so kind.
Charles Wallace
06/23/2013
Being friends for over 40 years how do you say good by,The Load now has one of his very best ! You will be missed.
Gary Paine
06/22/2013
He shared with me, and I shared with him.
My best friend.
Russell and Teri Derango
06/22/2013
Our deepest condolences to your family. We knew Skip through our mutual love of Arabian Horses. He will be greatly missed.
Joel & Sheila Burwash
06/22/2013
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all. Skip was part of our Arabian Horse Family and our Region 11 Championship Show will never be the same without him with his Cheerful Smile and Encouraging Wishes.