From the Chicago TribuneDr. Ralph William Muchow, a retired dentist, was a nationally ranked Ping-Pong player in the late 1930s who also operated a private, not-for-profit museum of 3,400 working antique radios.

Dr. Muchow, 83, died Saturday, March 4, in his home.

The 54-year Elgin resident, who was inducted into the city's Sports Hall of Fame in 1988, was the top-ranked table-tennis player in Illinois and second nationwide in open play from 1937 to 1939.

"Ralph was a Ping-Pong champion during his college years," said Don Sleeman, a friend and fellow member of American Legion Post 57, Elgin. "He was fantastic. He was a real nice guy, a good guy."

Dr. Muchow retired in 1999 as a dentist in Elgin after more than 50 years in private practice. He was president of the Elgin and Fox Valley Dental Societies in the 1950s.

Dr. Muchow received his dental degree from Northwestern University Dental School, Chicago, in 1940. He served in the Army as head of the dental survey office at Camp Ellis in Illinois and at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Mich., during World War II.

Dr. Muchow's collection of antique radios was featured in the February 1997 issue of Smithsonian magazine. He was said to have accumulated the largest private collection of antique radios in the world during the previous 30 years. He showed off his rare pieces to collectors once a year during Radiofest, an annual statewide festival for radio enthusiasts.

"He had an extremely in-depth radio museum," Sleeman said.

"He got me interested in my profession, electronics," said his son Stephen, an electronics engineer. "He was always interested in radio. He got me and my brother Dave involved. He involved the family in his activities. The museum was a family affair. We all got involved in maintaining it. He enjoyed that."

In addition to his sons, survivors include his wife, Carole; a sister, Phyllis Williamson; two brothers, Gordon and John; and three grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State. St., Elgin. Services will be private.

Hello Art, Dr Muchow's fame was wide spread. At the monthly meeting of the HRSA (Historical Radio Society of Australia) in Melbourne, Australia, one of our members showed a video of Dr Muchow's collection, taped during his recent visit to the US. In any reasonable time we could only get a sample of the spectacular collection, I'm pleased it bought him so much pleasure during his lifetime. It brought pleasure to all those people who had the privelege to view it also and I'm sure they would all join me in expressing my sympathy to Dr. Muchow's family. Thank you for drawing attention to his passing. Don Black.

: From the Chicago TribuneDr. Ralph William Muchow, a retired dentist, was a nationally ranked Ping-Pong player in the late 1930s who also operated a private, not-for-profit museum of 3,400 working antique radios.

: Dr. Muchow, 83, died Saturday, March 4, in his home.

: The 54-year Elgin resident, who was inducted into the city's Sports Hall of Fame in 1988, was the top-ranked table-tennis player in Illinois and second nationwide in open play from 1937 to 1939.

: "Ralph was a Ping-Pong champion during his college years," said Don Sleeman, a friend and fellow member of American Legion Post 57, Elgin. "He was fantastic. He was a real nice guy, a good guy."

: Dr. Muchow retired in 1999 as a dentist in Elgin after more than 50 years in private practice. He was president of the Elgin and Fox Valley Dental Societies in the 1950s.

: Dr. Muchow received his dental degree from Northwestern University Dental School, Chicago, in 1940. He served in the Army as head of the dental survey office at Camp Ellis in Illinois and at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Mich., during World War II.

: Dr. Muchow's collection of antique radios was featured in the February 1997 issue of Smithsonian magazine. He was said to have accumulated the largest private collection of antique radios in the world during the previous 30 years. He showed off his rare pieces to collectors once a year during Radiofest, an annual statewide festival for radio enthusiasts.

: "He had an extremely in-depth radio museum," Sleeman said.

: "He got me interested in my profession, electronics," said his son Stephen, an electronics engineer. "He was always interested in radio. He got me and my brother Dave involved. He involved the family in his activities. The museum was a family affair. We all got involved in maintaining it. He enjoyed that."

: In addition to his sons, survivors include his wife, Carole; a sister, Phyllis Williamson; two brothers, Gordon and John; and three grandchildren.

: Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State. St., Elgin. Services will be private.