Ralph Owen Martinson

Ralph is predeceased by his wife Rosa Mae; parents Martin Martinson (born Martin Mortensen in Vejle, Denmark) and Mae Martinson, nee MacPherson of Dauphin, Manitoba; brother Robert Lowell Martinson; and sisters Dorothy Davis of Swan River, Manitoba and Eleanor Ann of Alberta. He is survived by Carol of Qualicum, BC; Heather of Kipling, Saskatchewan; Helen of Maple Ridge, BC; and Nona of Las Vegas, Nevada

Ralph is lovingly survived by his son, Brent Owen Martinson (born in The Pas, Manitoba); and his daughter, Tara Lee Martinson (born in Thunder Bay, Ontario); as well as his grandchildren Scott, Stephen, and Elise of Calgary.

Born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Ralph grew up in the rugged north where he developed a deep connection with nature — fishing the local waters as a boy and cultivating a lifelong wonder for the natural world. That wonder would go on to shape his entire career.

Ralph built a distinguished life in meteorology, working as a Meteorological Technician and rising to serve as Officer in Charge of the weather office in Banff, Alberta — a role that suited a man who had always paid close attention to the sky. He later transferred to Calgary, where he finished his career as a Climatologist.

But it was outside of work he was a traveler at heart, always looking toward the horizon. He took his children on adventures they will never forget — to Florida to experience Disney World, Cape Canaveral, and Busch Gardens; and countless road trips where the destination mattered less than the journey itself. More than anything, Ralph loved to find water. The ocean called to him, and he would enjoy time there when possible. Hawaii was a loved vacation with beautiful memories in later years, last big one for the whole family. Ralph enjoyed in the early days curling and then later on golfing when he could get outside for a round. He was quite fond of animals. Reina the Himalayan cat was brought home from a trip to visit relatives on a farm in Manitoba. Years later there was little Higgins, the toy Papillon dog, a very adored companion, taken along daily to run local errands as well as on lengthy road trips through the USA.

Ralph Martinson read the weather for a living, but what he gave to those around him was something no forecast could predict — warmth, adventure, and a reminder to always look up.

Ralph is resting with God now where the skies are always clear and water calm.

Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Foundation (https://cancer.ca/en) and the Alzheimer Society of Canada (https://alzheimer.ca/en).