Ralph Dean Kautz

Ralph Dean Kautz, 89, of Malvern, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 21, 2024. He was for sixty years the loving husband of Joan (nee DeShong) Kautz.

Born at home on the family farm in Elizabethtown on November 14, 1935, Ralph was a son of the late Lloyd H. and Deanes (nee Brewer) Kautz. Ralph served in the United States Navy before founding Kautz Brothers Excavating with his brother Lloyd B.  

In addition to his wife, Joan, Ralph is survived by three children: Randall D. Kautz and his wife, Dixie of Elizabethtown, William T. Kautz and his wife, Wendy of Beaufort, SC and Kathleen J. Kautz and her husband, Leonard Sax of Malvern; three grandchildren: Nickolas Kautz and his wife, Kim of Elizabethtown, Chace Kautz and his wife, Grace of Bainbridge and Sarah Sax of Malvern; and five great-grandchildren Trenton, Archie, and Eugene of Elizabethtown and Eve and Bryn of Bainbridge.

Also surviving are three siblings: Lloyd B. Kautz, husband of the late Claudia of Penhook, VA; Doris (nee Kautz) Andrews, wife of the late Herb Andrews, of Mount Joy; and Joan (nee Kautz) Havill, wife of the late Harry Havill, of Mount Joy; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10:30 am in The Bright Hope Fellowship Church, 345 North Deodate Rd., Middletown, PA 17057. Services will follow in the church at 11:00am. A light luncheon will be served following the service.