Ralph was born on August 21, 1930 in Rocky Ford, CO. He was raised by his maternal grandparents on a family farm. Wherever his grandpa went, Ralph was certain to follow. As a teen, he joined many others in helping with the annual melon harvest in the Lower Arkansas Valley. Growing up on a farm, Ralph learned much about farming. With high school graduation a few weeks away, he joined the Army in April 1948. During his Army career, Ralph served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired from military service in July 1968. In 1971, he became a full-time employee of the US Postal Service working as a mailhandler. It became his second career, until he retired in August 1992.
Ralph was known to be kind, patient and generous. He was also known for his wry sense of humor.
