Ralph Gazell Wieland, M.D., of Chesterland Ohio, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on May 28, 2023 due to complications of dementia. 

Ralph was born on Christmas Day 1930 in Bay Village, Ohio to Ralph and Viola Wieland.  He was raised along the shore of Lake Erie with younger siblings William (predeceased), Gail Stewart (predeceased), and Kay Perkins.  He embraced academics and athletics, and at Bay Village High School, he competed on the football and track teams.  While attending Culver Academy summer camps, he proudly played Reveille and Taps on his cherished cornet.  He attended Yale, where he was captain of the Junior Varsity football team and a member of St. Elmo, graduating in 1952.  While attending the University of Pennsylvania medical school in Philadelphia, he met his wife, Ann Matlack.  After graduating in 1956, Ralph began his internship and residency in internal medicine at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland.  Three children – Jeff, Mark, and Linda – were born two years apart.  Ralph and Ann instilled the importance of work and perseverance in life to make the planet a better place. 

Ralph joined the Air Force in 1959 and served as a USAF captain, while holding positions as Chief of Internal Medicine and flight surgeon at McLellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California.  In 1961 he returned to Case Western for a fellowship in endocrinology and steroid biochemistry.  In 1964, after completing his fellowship, he moved his young family to Columbus, Ohio, where he became an Associate Professor of Medicine at Ohio State University.  In 1967 he returned to Cleveland to accept the position of Chief of Medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was involved in basic science research, endocrinology, and steroid biochemistry, ultimately publishing over 150 scientific papers.  He ran the house staff of medical residents, and in 1974 became full professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve.  In 1980 he left St. Luke’s to become Chief of Medicine at Huron Road hospital, where he met his second wife, Patty Williams (predeceased).  They married and moved with Patty’s son Joe to Geauga County, where Ralph established a private practice. 

Later in his life, Ralph became a rosarian, winning many ribbons with his champion Hybrid Tea rose, and boasted 168 vibrant roses in his gardens.  He also enjoyed running Labrador retrievers on hunt and field tests; his prized dog, Charles, was a local and state champion.  He found immense joy in fishing, and stocked his tranquil pond with trout.  He had great adoration for the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Indians, the Big Band sounds of Harry James, and his Stetson hat and leather vest.  He was proud of his many professional accomplishments, but often commented that it was his children of which he was most proud. 

Ralph is survived by his first wife, Ann; son, Jeffrey Wieland, M.D. (Helga); son, Mark Wieland, M.D. (Suzanne); daughter, Linda Seyffert; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

The family wishes to thank Kate Ritchie for her tireless dedication and kindness to Ralph, the devoted supporting members of Ralph’s care team, and the staff and hospice team at Holly Hill Nursing Home in Newbury, Ohio.  

Private Family Services have been held. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holly Hill Nursing Home and the American Diabetes Association.  

Arrangements made by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon, Ohio. 

Information and condolences on-line at www.burrservice.com