Ralph, 86 of McCall, died March 9, 2008. Upon graduation from Cascade High School, Ralph enlisted in the Navy and served in WWII with the Seabees in the South Pacific.

After being discharged from the Navy, Ralph was a squadleader in McCall during the 1946 season. He jumped from 1946 until 1949 when a back fracture from landing on a rock ended his career.

Ralph had a 30-year career as a wholesale distributor for Standard Oil.

He immensely enjoyed his smokejumping experience and the friends he made while fighting fires, as well as those he has made at Jumper Coffee hours. Ralph's brother Paul (deceased) also rookied at McCall in 1946.