Ralph Sackett ’60

Ralph Sackett ’60 died Aug. 18, 2021. He was 83. Ralph was a talented athlete who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school, but instead chose to attend Illinois Wesleyan thanks to encouragement from a benefactor, the late Dale McMackin ’36. He helped Ralph obtain a full scholarship, meal-work exchange and housing, allowing Ralph to become the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college. Ralph met his future wife Alicia (Westwood) Sackett ’60 during his time at IWU. After graduation, he coached the Bloomington Bobcats baseball team while earning a master’s degree in mathematics at Illinois State University. He later coached at four Illinois high schools and Washington University in St. Louis, but started a new career in 1975 with Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan. Ever versatile, he later added real estate development to his resume. Ralph enjoyed golfing, fishing and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. He and Alicia loved spending time in Naples, Florida, and at their cabin in Lake Napowan, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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