Ralph H. Wandrey passed away peacefully on June 25, 2020 at Maplewood Assisted Living in Hayden, Idaho.

He was born in Mason City, Iowa on November 15, 1921. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1939 and from North Iowa Community College in 1941.

He was sworn into the U.S. Army Air Corps on November 20, 1941 and graduated from the Army Air Corps flying school in August of 1942. He was sent to the South Pacific in December of 1942 where he served for 20 months flying 191 combat missions, many with the American Ace of Aces, Richard Bong, and a few with Charles Lindbergh who served briefly as an advisor.

Ralph attained the ranking of Major and became an “Ace”, scoring six confirmed victories and many probables. While recovering in VA Hospitals, he wrote and published a book, “Fighter Pilot”, a memoir of his activities during WWII. He received the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the American Fighter Aces in a ceremony in Washington D.C. in May of 2015.

After returning from the war, Ralph was very active in scouting, leading explorer post 8 and scoutmaster of troops 2 and 116 in Mason City. For years of service he was awarded scouting’s Silver Beaver Award and The Lamb Award.

He was active in the Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities in Mason City’s St. James Lutheran Church, then in Cottonwood, Arizona at Lutheran Churches, ending at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. He moved to Idaho his last few years and was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.

He will be laid to rest in a family graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Verla, in 2002 after 58 years of marriage; and one son, Gary Wandrey.

He is survived by a son, Kurt (Diann) Wandrey, of Kerrville TX; daughter, Connie (Cary) Shaffer, of Appolo Beach, FL; daughter-in-law, Mary Wandrey, of Cape Coral, FL; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Ralph H. Wandrey passed away peacefully on June 25, 2020 at Maplewood Assisted Living in Hayden, Idaho.

He was born in Mason City, Iowa on November 15, 1921. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1939 and from North Iowa Community College in 1941.

He was sworn into the U.S. Army Air Corps on November 20, 1941 and graduated from the Army Air Corps flying school in August of 1942. He was sent to the South Pacific in December of 1942 where he served for 20 months flying 191 combat missions, many with the American Ace of Aces, Richard Bong, and a few with Charles Lindbergh who served briefly as an advisor.

Ralph attained the ranking of Major and became an “Ace”, scoring six confirmed victories and many probables. While recovering in VA Hospitals, he wrote and published a book, “Fighter Pilot”, a memoir of his activities during WWII. He received the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the American Fighter Aces in a ceremony in Washington D.C. in May of 2015.

After returning from the war, Ralph was very active in scouting, leading explorer post 8 and scoutmaster of troops 2 and 116 in Mason City. For years of service he was awarded scouting’s Silver Beaver Award and The Lamb Award.

He was active in the Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities in Mason City’s St. James Lutheran Church, then in Cottonwood, Arizona at Lutheran Churches, ending at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. He moved to Idaho his last few years and was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.

He will be laid to rest in a family graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Verla, in 2002 after 58 years of marriage; and one son, Gary Wandrey.

He is survived by a son, Kurt (Diann) Wandrey, of Kerrville TX; daughter, Connie (Cary) Shaffer, of Appolo Beach, FL; daughter-in-law, Mary Wandrey, of Cape Coral, FL; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.