Ralph passed peacefully from this life the evening of Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015.
He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, August 20, 1931 and lived and worked on the family farm in Winterset, Iowa during his childhood. In 1951, two years after graduating from Winterset High School, he joined the U.S. Navy Air and served his country until 1971 when he retired. He then continued to make his life in San Diego County for over 35 years.
Ralph was very active and participated in antique engine and tractor shows in Vista for many years helping to construct some of the original buildings. In1986 Branch 22 was formed in the San Diego area and he served as vice president and then president of his branch from 1991-1992. Ralph enjoyed working on his Fordson tractor as well as his many gas engines. He loved to share his farming stories around the farm equipment and spent many hours teaching his grandsons the workings of these pieces of machinery. His wife, Ruth, served as Secretary/Treasurer of EDGE&TA from1998 to 2011 and they traveled to many EDGE&TA branch events making new friends and sharing stories. In 2001 he was diagnosed with cancer and given 2 months to live. Branch 22 had a birthday/fairwell celebration for him. He beat the odds and continued to be active in his hobby until he passed away in 2015.