Ralph was born on October 24, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Michael and Ann Ruzicka (Soyak). Ralph graduated from Pius XI High School in Milwaukee where he played varsity football and 3 instruments in the band. Ralph attended Marquette University and later married his high school sweetheart Judith Ann (Sanville) Ruzicka “Nana” on August 16, 1958 in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.
Ralph and Judy moved to Colorado in 1960. Ralph joined the Boulder Police Department in 1961. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1964. He left the police department as a Detective Lt. in 1971 to join the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. In the 19 years that Ralph was with CBI he worked in many departments including Narcotics, Organized Crime, and Homicide. He was also assigned to several strike forces that coordinated with law enforcement agencies from around Colorado as well as outside of this State he loved. Ralph retired in 1990 from CBI as a Special Agent /Supervisor. He felt honored to be a protector of not only his family but of the community.
In 1990, Ralph and Judy entered into a partnership with their daughter Jeannine and son-in-law John to open a Boulder Bed and Breakfast, the Alps Boulder Canyon Inn. Ralph enjoyed working closely with his family at the Inn, and felt a great sense of pride watching his family create a successful business.
Ralph loved spending every second of his free time with his children and grandchildren. Little things made him happy such as watching his grandchildren playing sports, singing, dancing, going to school activities and delivering soup to the kid’s doorstep when they were sick. Nothing gave Ralph more joy then listening to his grandchildren laughing in his home full of love.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 51 years Judy, daughter Jeannine married to John Vanderhart and their children Lexi and SinJin; his daughter Melanie Ruzicka and her son Brent; and his son Gregory married to Melissa and their children Kaity and Kevin. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ron, his daughter Laurie and infant son Paul.
A visitation will be held at Crist Mortuary on Sunday March 14, 2010 from 6-8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday March 15, 2010 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Bill Breslin will officiate. Interment will be at Green Mountain Cemetery.
Contributions can be made to Saint Thomas Aquinas University Church, 898 14th Street, Boulder, CO 80302, or Sacred Heart of Jesus School, 1317 Mapleton Avenue, Boulder, CO 80304.
Arrangements under the direction of Crist Mortuary, Boulder, CO.
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