Obituary of Ralph G. Green

Ralph Gordon Green Ralph Gordon Green 78, passed away on March 5, 2010 at Providence St Peter Hospital, Olympia, Washington. He was born July 12, 1931 at Deconess Hospital, Spokane, Washington. His parents, William Clyde Green and Helen Kathryn (Kaniut) Green, preceded him in death near Oregon City, Oregon. Ralph attended primary school in Deer Park, Washington; grade school and high school in near by Newport Washington, where he graduated in 1950. He worked most every summer during his high school years and his favorite job was manning a lookout tower for the Forest Service on a mountain not far from his home in Newport. He had his dog, Luckey, for company, a tremendous view, and swooping hawks for his neighbors. Ralph began Watchmaking School in Elgin, Illinois but had to withdraw due to his father’s urgent message that his name was coming up in the local draft board. He volunteered for the Air Force February 6, 1951 hoping to become an aero-mechanic; but was assigned instead to the group who would be trained as medical corpsmen. Ralph had an excellent background in first-aid due to his forward-thinking Boy Scout Scoutmaster In Newport. He frequently fell back on this training when it came to practicality in the field. Ralph trained and interned at Fort Sam Houston Hospital in Texas. He served in Alaska, at Fort Richardson, in Anchorage and on Umnak Island, and Cold Bay .He took orders from the Surgeon in charge, an Air Force Captain who kept him busy organizing the small pharmacy, assisting with small surgeries, and strangely enough sent him to search out the elusive source of their water supply. Ralph even caught a few babies being birthed by robust native women seeking medical help at their military infirmary. He also fished the cold waters with some of his buddies and frequently gifted their tables with fresh salmon. His last assignment was at Egland Air Force Base in Florida where his off duty time was spent on the white sands of the local beach. He was the original Beach boy. It was during these times that he rescued two military women from drowning. Ralph was discharged October 23, 1953 and purchased a new, 1953, red Ford Convertible with money he had saved while in the service. He loved cars and this one was just the beginning of many he would own in the future. He completed 1-½ years of watch making school July 11, 1956 at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He returned to Spokane and in the spring of 1957 was trained as a serviceman for Dictaphone Corporation. It was there he met Marie who was soon to be a graduate of Sacred Heart School of Nursing. They became friends and soon fell in love. They were married November 23, 1957 at Sacred Heart Parish Church in Spokane where they settled down in a small home and started their family. Ralph was transferred by Dictaphone to Olympia February 9, 1963 and relocated his family, now boasting of 4 small sons, to a new kind of life. It was in Ralph’s heart that his family should own a piece of land near the water and after 2 years of looking finally purchased a place on Budd Inlet. He loved the water and spent his boyhood and teenage years swimming and sailing on Diamond Lake where his parents rented a cabin. These were his happiest times, spending hours with friends on the docks and sailing his 15 foot Snipe. So now his sons grew up enjoying a variety of water sports even more than their dad. Ralph stayed with Dictaphone for a few more years then procured his Real Estate License. He took his growing family out on long Sunday drives looking at new listings and checking out properties. He also worked for a local wire-weaving company; trouble shooting when problems came up with the computer-run machinery. When he purchased the Seattle Times Distributorship for the Olympia/Tumwater area, he enlisted his whole family in the business and everyone learned to drive. Before his retirement Ralph had his own remodeling business. He was one of the first contractors in the Olympia area to incorporate active and passive solar design in his work. But no matter what Ralph was doing, he was known to whistle while he worked. Ralph retired in October 1996 but kept busy at home until health problems caused more difficulty. Eventually, Ralph and Marie sold their home on the Bay and moved to Rochester, April 30, 2003. He declined in health gradually, supported by his family along the way until his final hospitalization this March 1. He passed away with family present March 5, 2010. He will be missed greatly as husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He leaves a legacy of love of boat racing, sailing, and water sports. He rarely missed a NASCAR race on TV and was immovable in his recliner until it was over. He was called Mr. Fixit and inspired his sons to repair their own cars as he did. He loved good music, dancing, an exciting mystery or war story on TV. He didn’t like to travel but loved visitors and had a God given gift of hospitality. He had a genuine smile, loved to chat and also listened well. He knew Jesus as his Savior and was looking forward to Heaven. Ralph was one of the Good Guys and there is no replacement. He is survived by his wife, Marie Jeannette (Katzenberger) Green at the family home in Rochester. Also by four sons: Kirk J. Green and wife, Cathy of Reno, Nevada; Steven C. Green, Elma, Washington; Daniel G. Green, Olympia, Washington; and Eric P. Green and Lisa Marco also of Olympia. Ralph leaves adoring grandchildren: Three granddaughters: Jeannette, Rachel, and Rebecca. Five grandsons: Mark, Brian, Daniel, Alex, and Luke. Four great grandsons: Michael, Brayden, Kaden, and Derek Jr. Celebration of Life For Ralph Gordon Green April 10th at 2:00 PM Crossroads Church 9231 183rd Ave. SW. Rochester Washington The family of Ralph Green requests in lieu of flowers that donation be made to: The American Diabetes Association at: 360-456-6677 or 800-628-8808