Ralph H. Clarbour
Of Arlington Heights

Ralph H. Clarbour was born October 18, 1924 in Goshen, Indiana to Ralph and Mabel (nee Olson) Clarbour. He died December 19, 2008 at Northwest Community Healthcare Center in Arlington Heights.

Mr. Clarbour’s proudest accomplishment was serving his country during WW II, from December 13, 1942 to October 1, 1945, in the US Navy. He was a turret gunner and photographer on a TMB aboard the USS Sargent Bay and the USS Corregidor aircraft carriers having flown 79 combat missions in the South Pacific.

When Ralph returned from WW II he got a job working for his Uncle at Dahl-Olson and later became president and CEO of Arlington Structural Steel. His professional associations include American Institute of Steel Construction, which he joined in 1956 and served as director in 1981, vice chairman in 1987 and chairman in 1989 & 1990, Central Fabricators Association, which he joined in 1949 and served as director and treasurer from 1960 until 2003 and was a member of the Iron League of Chicago in 1946 and served as president in 1960.

Ralph has resided in Arlington Heights since 1949 and has served on many organizations and committees including starting Boy Scout Pack #225 in 1953 which was later changed to pack #57 in 1956. He served as commissioner, district chairman and vice president of the Northwest Suburban Council. In 1977 he served on the Council Advisory Board and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was a 33rd Degree Mason of the Albany Park Lodge in Chicago.

Governmental positions Mr. Clarbour has held include Damp Commissioner from 1968 to 1971, Arlington Heights Village Trustee from May 1, 1971 to July 1974 when he was appointed Village President. He was elected Trustee again in 1977 and served until 1981. Ralph was on the Hall of Fame committee from 1984 until 1989.

Ralph loved to play golf and bowl. He shared lots of great times camping with his family across America. His family will always remember the fun times they had at their Wisconsin home.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mary R. (nee Richardson) whom he married August 18, 1945; his children Richard (Kathleen) Clarbour of Hawthorn Woods, Lee Anne Clarbour of Bloomingdale, David (Karen) Clarbour of Elkhorn, Wisc., and Dan of Wauconda; his grandchildren Shannon, Jason, Michelle and Timothy; and his brother Bert (Nancy) Clarbour.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, his sons James Ralph and Donald Alan(survived by his wife Susan Coyle), and his brother Roger.

Celebration of Life 1:30, Saturday, December 27, 2008 at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Visitation at Church from 12:30 until time of service. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation, 3060 Salt Creek Lane, Suite #110, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004.