The family of Ralph Messerli, a longtime Fairfield educator and wrestling official who passed away in July, has donated a one-of-a-kind quilt made from his wrestling officiating memorabilia to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, according to a social media post from the museum.
Linda Messerli and her son Darin donated the quilt, which was crafted by a family member who transformed Ralph’s officiating items into a tribute to his years of dedication to Iowa high school wrestling. The museum announced it plans to display the quilt for visitors.
Ralph Messerli served as an Iowa high school wrestling official for 22 years and officiated 14 state tournaments. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to the sport. Before his officiating career, Messerli spent 38 years with the Fairfield Community School District as a guidance counselor, wrestling coach, and eventually principal at Fairfield High School. He was also inducted into the Northwest Missouri State Wrestling Hall of Fame for his collegiate career.
“Thank you, Linda and Darin, for helping preserve Ralph’s legacy with us,” the museum wrote in its announcement.
