H. Ralph Wilburn

Hubert Ralph Wilburn died August 22, 2021 at age 85 after a rich life of love, meaning and adventure. He died peacefully surrounded by his family. Ralph was born in 1936, the oldest of 13 siblings. His childhood was spent farming in different states in the Midwest and Southeast. His intelligence and academic achievements were evident at a young age and after attending 13 different schools in 12 years, he graduated valedictorian of his high school. He joined the United States Air Force on graduation from high school. He served for 30 years including the Vietnam war and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, the highest non-commissioned rank achievable. He was stationed in New Mexico and Hawaii, where he was on the inspector general’s team traveling to Korea and Japan frequently.

While serving in the Air Force he went back to school and received a bachelor’s degree and ultimately went on to earn his master’s and then a PhD. After retiring from the Air Force, he and his wife of 44 years, Kathleen Wilburn, EdD, began a consulting business and then joined the faculty of St. Edward’s University nearly 20 years ago where they taught corporate social responsibility. Ralph and Kathy were a dynamic duo at St. Edward’s creating and teaching courses, doing research and writing and contributing to the community. He was teaching up to the time of his death, with a passion for helping his students that made him a favorite lecturer and mentor.

He was a good man. He was unfailingly reliable, honest and followed through on his promises. He was smart, observant, and compassionate and was always the rock everyone could rely on for support, sage advice and a healthy dose of common sense. And then he was funny. At times it was obvious, open laughter and other times it was witty dry comments that made you stop for a second to realize the hilarity of what he said and then we all burst out laughing.

He married Kathy 44 years ago, and they have been inseparable, faithful partners since. They did everything together: worked, traveled, played, and raised a family. Ralph had two sons Mike and Brian, and when he married Kathy, he became step-parent to Joel and Karen. He was a dad in all the ways that matter most. He was a doting grandfather, and his loving playful side was so evident when he was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen Wilburn, son Brian Wilburn, daughter in law Melinda Wilburn, grandson Josh Wilburn and his wife Whitney, great-grandchildren Jace and Wrynli, step-son Joel Stout, daughter-in-law Katie Stout, granddaughters Cerah and Emelie Stout, stepdaughter Karen Stout, daughter-in-law Deb Greenberg. His oldest son Mike preceded him in death.

In honor of Ralph’s military service to the country and his service to the St. Edward’s community, a scholarship has been established in his name to help a veteran achieve the education he felt so blessed to have.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, masks are required. The Funeral Service will be private, but livestreamed at bit.ly/SEUCMLive . Please check back for information about a Memorial Service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Ralph's family requests you remember his love of education and his dedicated service to the U.S. military with a gift to The H. Ralph Wilburn Veterans Endowed Scholarship at St. Edward's University. Contributions may be made online: bit.ly/WilburnScholarship -- please note, the link is case-sensitive. Alternatively, checks may be made out to St. Edward's University and mailed to a secure lockbox: St. Edward's University Lockbox, PO Box 2147, San Antonio, TX 78297. Please write "Ralph Wilburn" in the memo line. Please direct questions to: Joe De Medeiros, VP for Advancement at [email protected].