----Source:Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Thu, Jan 13, 2005

Community leader was 'a good old buddy,' friends say

By Matt Conn

Marshfield News-Herald

The city of Greenwood and Clark County lost an active community member Tuesday when Ralph Landini died at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

Landini, 65, served 12 years on the Clark County Board, including three years as chairman, and nine years on the Greenwood School Board. His voice would often be heard announcing ball games at Greenwood High School and at softball tournaments.

"Ralph was a fun-loving guy. He enjoyed life," said long-time friend Bob Moseley of Greenwood. "He was trustworthy. Just a good old buddy." Moseley, 61, said he and Landini had worked together at Clark Electric and were both members of the local Lions Club, where they would play in softball tournaments.

"I remember playing ball with him, and we would play other Lions' Clubs. Ralph could always bring out the best in the opposing team," Moseley said. "He loved to razz them and tease them and heckle them. It was a lot of good, clean fun." Landini also worked at North Hendren Cheese and Greenwood Co-op before starting his own business with Ron Tieman: Landini-Tieman Realty & Auction, which later became Landini Realty & Auction. He was also a member of the Greenwood Fire Department and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.

"One thing I don't think people fully appreciated of Ralph was he was a community-minded individual," Moseley said. "In spite of what some people thought, he had a lot of compassion for the community of Greenwood and Clark County. He was progressive. He wasn't a guy to sit back and let the world pass him by." As chairman of the Clark County Board, Landini was instrumental in organizing educational sessions, such as a trip to the state capitol in Madison, leadership speakers, and tours of the county that showed department heads who worked for them, said Barb Petkovsek, director of administration for Clark County.

"Ralph was a leader," she said. "Did Ralph and I always agree? No. But we worked together to represent the county in a unified way. Ralph cared about people. The decisions he made were always in the interest of the citizens of Clark County." Landini tried to be fair to everyone, said Supervisor Chuck Rueth of Loyal, who served as board vice chairman with Landini.

"I've got to give him credit, he tried to make sure he lowered the tax levy, and he really tried hard on that," Rueth said. "He always spoke what was on his mind. You always knew where he was shooting from." Years ago, Moseley said he, Landini and some other friends would make annual trips to see the Green Bay Packers play. Like himself, Moseley said Landini was an avid Packers fan.

"Those are the things I'll always remember, because we always had a good time," Moseley said. "He was a good friend."