01/02/2026
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Ralph L. Wadsworth, our founder and the namesake of our company. Ralph passed away peacefully on December 25th, surrounded by his loved ones in his home.
Ralph was more than the founder of RLW and WDG. He was a visionary leader whose grit, integrity, and unwavering work ethic shaped the foundation of our company and the values we live by every day. What began as a dream grew into a legacy spanning generations, built on hard work, strong relationships, and a deep commitment to doing things the right way. He practiced these principles throughout his life and earned respect by consistently living and perpetuating them.
Despite all he accomplished in business, Ralph and his wife, Peggy, believed their greatest achievement was raising seven sons—each admired and accomplished, but more importantly, valued as sons, brothers, fathers, and friends.
Ralph knew many members of the RLW and WDG teams personally and believed that people were the true measure of success. He cared deeply about his employees, his partners, and the communities where we work. His influence can be felt in every project we build and every relationship we maintain. Even after retiring, Ralph stayed closely connected to our work, keeping tabs on construction and development projects and expressing deep admiration and appreciation for the RLW and WDG teams who continue to carry on his legacy.
Ralph’s legacy lives on through both companies and the thousands of projects and people impacted by his life’s work. He will be deeply missed, but his values and vision will continue to guide us forward.
