Ralph Lee Metzler

Ralph was born to Charles Addison Metzler and Olive Viola (Beaty) Metzler on Saturday, April 18, 1953. Although named Ralph, he went mostly by his middle name of Lee throughout his entire life. Born and raised in North Omaha, he lived on Corby Street in Omaha, NE, and later moved to Bedford Street, also in Omaha. He attended Clifton Hill Elementary School and later Benson High and Tech High School, where he graduated. Lee was a caring brother to his siblings, the youngest being Randy, whom he really took under his wing. At 15, he worked just down the street from his home at the neighborhood grocery store. In his free time, he loved driving his bright red orangish-red and black Chevrolet Chevelle automobile. He relished learning from his oldest brother, Charles (known as Rich), following in his footsteps to join the U.S. Navy, serving until 1975. His tour started in basic training in San Diego California then San Francisco and eventually taking him to Okinawa Japan by boat, the USS Cleveland, to serve in the Vietnam War. There he learned to be a firefighter and honed his welding skills, which allowed him to build a career in the plumbing field. Lee met and married Mary L. Mumm in 1977, becoming a stepfather to her son, Jeffrey. They built a home in Omaha and grew their family by 4 more sons. Lee worked for KD Plumbing, later known as Kracht Plumbing. He then dedicated over 25 years of his career working as a plumber for the University of Nebraska at Omaha before retiring in 2010. He was versed in the trades and received his journeyman’s license in plumbing as well as a Backflow Education and certification. To better support his family, he earned extra income working nights at the convenient store near his home. With an ability to connect with most anyone, many regulars stopped to say hello, calling him by name and often spending hours shooting the breeze with this down-to-earth man. As a father, Lee enjoyed watching his boys grow into the fine adults he knew they’d become. Lee was also a proud son (always looking out for his mom until her death), brother, father, uncle, grandfather, colleague, and friend of many. Even as the years brought the loss of his hair and caused his beard to grow long and white, he remained young at heart up until the end. On Monday, October 17, 2022, at the age of 69, Lee passed away unexpectedly after two surgeries and resulting complications. His last moments were spent surrounded by his family and the caring team at Veterans Hospital. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, 2 brothers, and 1 sister. He is survived by his wife, Mary; stepson Jeffrey; sons Jason (Tammi), Shawn (Toni), Scott, and Ryan, all residing in Omaha, NE; 2 step-grandchildren, Blake and Jessie; granddaughter Makenzie and grandson Jackson. He will be missed. Thanks for sharing your life with all of us, Lee, as you go to carry on your next journey in the presence of our Lord. *** Lee is proud to be a donor of an anatomical gift to the Veterans Administration, associated with the Live On Nebraska organization serving injured and other in-need veterans across the country. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the veterans and their families who are proud to serve our country.