News Summary
The Evans community mourns the loss of Ralph Neitzke, a cherished figure who dedicated his life to family, faith, and community service. Neitzke, who served in the U.S. Air Force and was an active member of Grace Baptist Church, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. His contributions to the community and his passion for automobiles, including a stint in NASCAR, left a lasting legacy. A memorial service will be held soon to honor his life and impact.
Evans, GA – Ralph Neitzke, a beloved member of the Evans community, passed away at the age of 79 on September 29, 2025. He died peacefully at 1:15 a.m. at home, with his son, Wesley, by his side. Neitzke’s death follows a year marked by multiple hospital stays, although he remained strong in spirit until the end.
Ralph Neitzke’s life was a testament to family, faith, and community service. Born on February 11, 1946, in Appleton, WI, to Raymond and Esther (Durkey) Neitzke, he graduated from Appleton High School in 1964. Neitzke maintained strong ties to his roots and even attended his 60th high school reunion in 2024.
After his graduation, Neitzke served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1970. In 1972, he married his wife, Tina, adopting her two sons and beginning a family in Georgia. He worked at Harrison-Gulley Chevrolet in Augusta and later at Johnson Motors, before starting his own business, Ralph’s Repair, in the mid-1980s; he operated the business from his home in Martinez, GA.
In addition to his work as a mechanic, Neitzke had a brief stint as a school teacher and was fondly known as ‘Mr. Ralph’ to his auto mechanic students. His contributions to the community extended beyond family and education; he was a dedicated member of the Grace Baptist Church in Evans, where he was informally referred to as “Reverend Ralph” due to his ability to quote Scripture and encourage others.
Neitzke was also actively involved in various groups at his church and met weekly with fellow car enthusiasts known as the Classic Car Guys, who were part of the ‘Shade Tree A’s’ and the ‘Gas Car Club.’ His passion for automobiles extended to NASCAR, where he worked as a registered pit crew assistant from 1984 to 1986. Neitzke made appearances on live television segments including ‘Ask NASCAR,’ and remained a familiar face at NASCAR events over the following three decades.
Ralph Neitzke was preceded in death by his wife, Tina (Perkins) Neitzke, adopted step-son David Lee Neitzke, two brothers-in-law, and a sister-in-law. He is survived by his son Wesley Kelley, son Matthew Wayne (Benson) Neitzke, two grandsons, brother Gordon Neitzke, two sisters, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.
A memorial service is scheduled for October 14, 2025, at Grace Baptist Church in Evans, GA. Following this, Ralph Neitzke will be interred at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Waupaca County, WI, at a later date.
Family members expressed that even though they may have “touched ya last,” Ralph has profoundly impacted their hearts, leaving behind a legacy of love and service.
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- Legacy.com: Philip Condu Obituary
- Wikipedia: Obituary
- Wichmann Funeral Homes: Edward Kettner
- Google Search: Edward Kettner Obituary
- Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home: William Klein
- Google Scholar: William Klein Obituary
- Wichmann Funeral Homes: Matthew Tyler Young
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Matthew Tyler Young
- Post Crescent: Obituary
- Google News: Ralph Neitzke Obituary
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AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
