Ralph William Lambert

Ralph grew up and attended school in McMinnville, graduating from McMinnville High School in 1964. He attended Linfield College for one year and then transferred to Oregon State University and graduated in the Class of the Century in June of 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

Ralph went to work for Washington Dept. of Transportation in the Seattle area from 1969 to 1972. He moved to Salem in 1972 and worked for the City of Salem Public Works Dept. as a Civil Engineer, working there, just one month short of 47 years, retiring on Sept. 25, 2019.

He met Linda Neuschwander while attending a folk-dance session at Oregon State University. They became a couple and were married on July 14, 1967. They were married for 39 years and remained friends until the end.

Ralph started his long history with square and round dancing in 1962 with Hicks and Chicks and the Tandem Teens in McMinnville. He started calling and cueing for the OSU Promenades’ in 1966. Over the years he called and cued for various adult and teen clubs in both Washington and Oregon. He held membership in both Callerlab and Roundalab for over 50 years apiece. As well as being very active in local, area and statewide dance organizations. Both Ralph and Linda were involved in putting on the first National Square Dance convention in Oregon in 1994. He was member of the Keizer Elks Lodge. Ralph was very proud of being an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 20 years.

He was proceeded in death by both his mother and father. He is survived by his ex-wife Linda Neuschwander, various nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and his god-daughter, Brooke Davison.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.