Ralph Schomp

In 1910, Ralph Schomp was born in Woodland, California. He was raised in Brownsville, Oregon by his aunt and two much older siblings, as his mother passed away when
he was born.

This upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic that earned him a scholarship to Willamette University. He then received a degree in architecture from the University of Oregon. Ralph moved to San Francisco to become an architect, established his own business there and was contracted to design and build the Colorado exhibit for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. There, he met and married Katherine (Kay) Weaver, daughter of automobile dealer, Roy Weaver.

When the U.S. entered WWII, Ralph enlisted as a second lieutenant. After returning home, he managed Bluhill Foods in Santa Ana, California until the factory was sold. Ralph, Kay and their five daughters relocated to Colorado, where his father-in-law owned a Bluhill Foods factory and three Oldsmobile dealerships.

After managing another Bluhill Foods, Ralph went on to manage Arapahoe Motors and transformed it into a viable and thriving business. In 1965, Ralph became the dealer of record and renamed the dealership Ralph Schomp Oldsmobile. He then expanded by adding Land Rover, MG, BMW, Alfa Romeo and Honda lines to his business.

He opened Ralph Schomp Imports on West Dartmouth Avenue; when both stores were beyond capacity, he helped design a new facility in Littleton. Ralph trained daughter Lisa to become a dealer, and was transferring ownership to her just before he died.

Devoted to his own family, Ralph deeply cared about his employees and their families. He understood how valuable a reputation for excellent customer service and honesty was.

Ralph was active in the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association and gave back to the community. He was proud to be Colorado’s nominee for the 1976 TIME Quality Dealer of the Year award. He would be honored to be part of the inaugural class of the CADA Hall of Fame and would be very proud that his daughter, Lisa, is being honored, as well.