Ralph Martin Tidball Jr.

Ralph Martin Tidball, Jr., passed away quietly at home on May 31, 2016, at 91 years of age. He was born the eldest of three brothers on October 14, 1924 in Waukesha, WI to the late Ralph and Olga Tidball. Most of his childhood was spent in Wisconsin, Colorado and Montana.

Ralph served his country in the Pacific in the US Navy during WW II. After the war, he earned degrees in engineering at Montana State, and then began his career with IBM. Ralph lived and worked in several states and overseas, finally settling in Raleigh, NC in 1970. He retired after 49 years at IBM. As a hobby, Ralph was a skilled woodworker; he built a ski boat and most of the family's furniture for many years. He was an avid DIYer, and kept the family involved in hands-on projects all the time. Ralph was an active member of Christian churches wherever he lived.

Since retiring, Ralph continued to travel widely across the Americas, by RV and cruise ships mostly. He spent years as a Docent at the NC Museum of Art, and as a volunteer teaching computer skills and doing taxes for seniors in his community. At home, he most enjoyed seeing family and long-time friends from work or church or the gym. Frequent dinner or lunch dates and regular gatherings at Toreros on Monday evenings for Margaritas were highlights on his calendar. Every event and holiday was his chance to share food, drink and good times with the people he loved.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Evelyn; two daughters, Sharon Margrave and Denise Plachcinski; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren and his brother, Eugene. Predeceased loved ones include his brother Lloyd; his son, Ralph Bryan Tidball; and his grandson, Joey Plachcinski among others.

Ralph Tidball had a long life, full of activities and people he loved.

A Celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 4:00 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh NC 27609.