Ralph Joseph Ehrlich

June 28, 1937 to December 26, 2017

Ralph Joseph Ehrlich, a much-loved husband, father, Opa and friend passed away at his home on December 26, 2017, surrounded by family, after a long and courageous battle with peritoneal cancer. He fought the good fight. Ralph was born in Berlin, Germany in 1937 to Hans and Margaret Ehrlich. As the family sailed under the San Francisco Bridge on March 3, 1948, he threw a lucky penny into the water. He was always grateful for the luck that penny and the United States of America gave him. He was multi-blessed.

Ralph graduated from R. A. Long High School in Longview, WA. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Laffey. After his service, he earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Washington and was proud to be a life-long Husky and Seahawk fan.

Ralph was an inspiration and friend to many and fortunate to have had two successful careers. He was employed with Texaco for many years and was Texaco's Marketing Manager for Alaska during the pipeline era. Later, he started his own business as a State Farm agent. Ralph was also proud of his time with the Sales Training Institute in Seattle as an associate professor. He loved skiing, coaching and playing soccer well into his sixties. He had a passion for traveling and scuba diving. Ralph went around the world multiple times. Among his favorite adventures were: floating the Grand Canyon, going on a cattle drive across Utah, hiking the Milford Trek in New Zealand and diving along the Great Barrier Reef.

Ralph believed in serving his community and was an active member of the Rotary Clubs in Anchorage, Lake City, Lynnwood and Mill Creek. He also served on the Planning Commission of Mill Creek and sat on the board for the North Shore Senior Center.

Ralph is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Dullain. He also leaves behind his daughter Lainie, her husband Bo and their four children; Carson, Annie Greene, Anderson and Eliza of Broomfield and his son, Brandon, his wife Natasha and their two daughters; Vivian and Pearl of Seattle. He is also survived by his sister Ursula and brother-in-law Frank Richards and his brother Tom and sister-in-law Glenna Ehrlich, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the North Creek Presbyterian Church, 621 164th St. S.E., Mill Creek, WA. at 3:00 PM. On Saturday, January 6, 2018. Contributions in memory of Ralph's life may be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

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