Background
Scharnau, Ralph William was born on October 22, 1935 in Woodstock, Illinois, United States. Son of Walter William and Ruth Henrietta (Ganske) Scharnau.
Scharnau, Ralph William was born on October 22, 1935 in Woodstock, Illinois, United States. Son of Walter William and Ruth Henrietta (Ganske) Scharnau.
Bachelor, Beloit (Wisconsin) College, 1957. Master of Arts, University Illinois, 1959. Doctor of Philosophy, Northern Illinois University, 1970.
Part-time instructor in history, Northern Illinois U., DeKalb, 1963-1964; assistant professor of history, McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois, 1965-1969; associate professor of history, McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois, 1969-1970; associate professor of history, U. Dubuque, Iowa., 1970-1975; professor of history, U. Dubuque, Iowa., since 1975. Member of advisory committee Iowa labor history oral project Iowa Federation Labor-American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Des Moines, since 1977. Member of advisory board Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Dubuque, since 1978.
Precinct leader Dubuque County Democrats, since 1970. Activist Peace and Justice Issues, Dubuque, since 1970. Member employment committee Dubuque Council for Diversity, since 1991.
Community advisor Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council, since 1992. With United States Army, 1957-1958. Member American History Association, American Federation of Teachers, Organisation American Historians, State History Society of Iowa, Illinois State History Society, Dubuque County History Society (board directors since 1992).
Married Ruth Ellen Cotter, December 23, 1960. Children: Andrea Marie, Keith Alan, Gregg Justin.