Rolf B. Stettler

Rolf (Ralph) B. Stettler, 82, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer with his beloved wife and daughters by his side in Jupiter, FL on August 8th, 2023. He is survived by his adoring wife of 56 years, Lotty; his daughters, Pamela (Scott) Disher and Christine (Jeremy) Walter; and his five grandchildren, Blake, Julia, and Paige Disher and James and Catherine Walter.

Born and raised in Biel, Switzerland, Ralph earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering and accepted a position with The Mikron Group, a creator of adaptable automation solutions. In the time he worked with them, Ralph was granted a visa to travel to the States to work at Illinois Tool Works in Chicago, IL. It was here that Ralph’s vision for the future began.

Upon returning to Switzerland, he kept his promise to marry the love of his life, Lotty.  The newlyweds then took their honeymoon sailing across the Atlantic into New York Harbour in 1967 to pursue the American Dream. They left their families behind in Switzerland and planted their roots back in Chicago where Ralph began working as a sales engineer.  The lure of sunshine and opportunity led them to Boca Raton, FL in 1974.  It was here that he established Micro Quality Corporation with his wife. For 30 years, he successfully ran his business providing high-precision quality control measuring equipment and machinery for the personal computer, aerospace, medical, defense, pharmaceutical, machine shops and airline industries. In 2004, Ralph retired and began to focus his time on family and traveling.

Discovering the beauty of Jackson Hole, WY made Switzerland seem not so far away for Ralph and Lotty as they began spending their summers in the embrace of the Grand Tetons. Ralph casting his fly rod in the backwaters of the Gros Ventre or the Snake River in waders with a cooler of lunch awaiting his arrival on the riverbank was a scene movies could never come close to recreating.

Along with the fishing were Ralph’s many hikes with his family.  Always a camera in hand to capture the wildlife, flowers, sunset or grandchildren.

Winter trips in Jackson Hole and Big Sky, MT would bring many ski adventures chasing his daughters and grandchildren down the slopes, making snowmen and roaring fires. Swiss fondue, raclette dinners and a nice bottle of wine were the perfect way to end the day for Ralph.

There was a certain aura of peace that nature brought Ralph, and that energy impacted those around him. Whether it was at home in Florida or Wyoming, evening walks with his wife, or watching the sunset paint the sky, being present in nature always left Ralph in a state of contentment, especially when he and Lotty traveled the world. Some of their favorite destinations were Japan, Antarctica, the Amazon, Alaska, Greece and Italy. Ralph always enjoyed an opportunity to experience somewhere new with his wife.

Ralph made it a point to never miss a family get-together, boat ride, a grandchild’s birthday party, sporting event, theater production, graduation, college visit, or his daily ritual of reading several international newspapers.

You don’t have to look far to be reminded of Ralph’s presence in the physical world. Listen to the whispering of the willows along Snake River, feel the tug of line on your reel, admire the beauty of a brewing storm, smile at the ocean’s shoreline, and recognize that as the sun sets, it never parts without leaving us a painting.  Ralph leaves behind a legacy his family is honored to continue.  He will be sorely missed.

A private celebration of life will be held in Jupiter, FL and Jackson Hole, WY for family and friends at a later time.