Our family remembers how fortunate we were to have Ralph E. Gaeke as a husband, brother and uncle. We are grief stricken that we lost him all too soon on May 6, 2025, as a result of heart failure.
Ralph was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Ruth and Edward Gaeke. Ralph’s family moved many times with the majority of his school years being spent in Waukesha, Wisconsin, but he graduated from Centerville High School in Centerville, Ohio, in 1971. Ralph attended Ohio University in Athens, where he participated in the ROTC program and graduated from the College of Engineering and Technology. He served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1992 reaching the rank of Major. His primary combat experience was in Desert Storm for which he earned a Bronze Star.
Shortly after combat operations ended, he retired with 20 years of service and settled in Colorado, where he married Janet Romero. He enjoyed skiing with friends, traveling especially to Hawaii, and being active as a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He did many mission projects organized by the church that included work in Mexico, New Orleans, and Mississippi. He also joined in on projects sponsored by the Emergency and Disaster Relief World Wide Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. He was most recently volunteering at Get Set.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Janet; his sister, June; his nephew, Adam Jacobson; his niece, Adrienne Jacobson (Adam Marblestone); and his grandniece, Josephine.
Ralph was known for his ability to fix and construct just about anything which he generously shared with family, friends, and anyone who needed help. He was gifted in analyzing the problem and finding the best solution.
Please remember Ralph by doing a good deed for another. Donations in Ralph’s name can be made to Get Set.
A visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, at First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Steve Young
15 May 2025The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Maj Gaeke’s distinguished service to our country in the Army. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or raobuckley@gmail.com. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
Stewart Olson
19 May 2025My deepest sympathies to June, Janet, Adam and Adrienne for your shocking loss of dear Ralph! It was so special for me to have known him and loved his yearly visits to Leverett. We connected so well through problem solving the many projects he would tackle while visiting! I respected his talents, appreciated our friendship so much and enjoyed spending time sharing our adventures and different life experiences! I am a better person for knowing Ralph and I will miss him very much!