Ralph Robert Wensinger

West Point, 1959

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Rosalyn Wensinger Sands on October 26, 2018:

WHENEVER I SEE VIOLETS, I THINK OF MY BROTHER, RALPH WENSINGER I remember the last time my family all got together and had dinner alone--Just Mom, Pop (as Ralph always called Papa), Marilyn, Ralph and me (sans spouses and kids). It was in 1964--54 years ago. Ralph piloted a B-52 bomber into Travis AFB, and Mom, Pop and I piled into their little red VW Bug to pick up Ralph for a 2-day leave. He looked so handsome in his flight suit. On the way home to San Francisco, we stopped in Oakland for dinner at Spenger's, my parent's favorite seafood restaurant. The next day, Marilyn drove up from Santa Clara, and Mom made a special prime rib dinner for just the five of us. Mom and Pop lived in SF near the Cliff House. As Mom was making dinner, which included her special apple pie that Ralph loved, Pop said he wanted to drive to Maiden Lane in the heart of SF to get a special wine and some gourmet cheeses for the occasion. So Marilyn, Ralph and I all got into the Bug and went with him. Driving home, after Pop found everything he wanted, we got stuck in the narrow streets at Union Square in a horrible traffic jam. All of a sudden Ralph jumped out of the car, and said he would be back in a minute. Well wouldn't you know it, the traffic started moving, and with no place to pull over and wait for Ralph, we had to drive on. Later, Ralph came bounding up the street and finally caught up with us. Ralph had a package, but he wouldn't tell us what was in it until we arrived home. Ralph gave this beautifully wrapped box to Mom to say thank you for making this wonderful dinner for all of us. Mom opened her gift to find a bouquet of fresh violets all wrapped in ribbon. Ralph apparently ran to Podesta Baldocchi's, a very exclusive florist on Union Square to get something for Mom. I'm ashamed to say it, but he was the only one who remember her for all the work in preparing the dinner. Ralph was always so thoughtful, kind and sweet, especially towards Mom, as Ralph and Mom had a special bond. At one time, I had some wild violets growing in my yard. I would often pick them in remembrance of Ralph and this special and last occasion when just the five of us all had dinner together.

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