westcoaster Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 SPRINGFIELD TWP. - Ralph Stricker, owner of Stricker's Grove Amusement Park in Crosby Township, died Friday at his home here after a long illness. He was 79. The amusement park, near Ross, was Mr. Stricker's passion. In 1969, he moved it from its original location in Mount Healthy to its current site on Hamilton-Cleves Road. He built two of the roller coasters - the Tornado and the Teddy Bear - himself, and was the only private individual in the United States to build his own roller coasters. He loved his roller coasters, but didn't ride them, said his wife of nearly 52 years, Nancy Stricker. "He rode them when he built them, then he didn't get back on them," she said. He built several rides at the park, along with generators, a banquet hall and shelters. Mr. Stricker was born and raised in Mount Healthy, son of the late Clara Link and Henry J. Link. He attended Assumption Grade School and graduated from Mount Healthy High School in 1946. After graduating, he built homes in the Mount Healthy area. In 1954, he went to work for Procter & Gamble Co., and went to night school at the Ohio Mechanics Institute to become a licensed stationary engineer. He married Nancy Reynolds in 1955. When the two met, Mr. Stricker was 20, and she was 15. "I thought he was very handsome and very quiet," Mrs. Stricker said. Mr. Stricker was modest about his accomplishments. He had a dry sense of humor, and was always ready to help the less fortunate. He was honored by Cincinnati Magazine as an "Annual Best," and Ohio Magazine recognized the park for high safety standards. Mr. Stricker hosted many picnics for orphanages, schools and P&G retirees at the amusement park. He also hosted the Mount Healthy High School reunions at the park, and was recognized as "Alumni of the Year" for the class of 1946. He retired from P&G in 1990. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Deborah Ziegler and Nancy Lee Stricker; and a brother, Elmer Stricker, all of Cincinnati. Visitation will be 4-9 p.m. today at Stricker's Grove Hall on Ohio 128. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Church of the Assumption, 7711 Joseph St., Mount Healthy. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in St. Bernard. Neidhard Gillen Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorials can be made to Vitas Hospice Care, 11500 North Lake Drive, Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45249; or Church of the Assumption Building Fund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKIDelirium Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 http://www.pkicentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8853 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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