Ralph Wesley Parish

Ralph was born in Elmwood, Nebraska on January 1,1935; he was dubbed “Elmwood’s New Year’s Baby.” He was born to Donald Parish and Jessie (Bagley) Parish and had three sisters Donna Vee Vette, Marianne (Duffy) Wimberly, Virginia Boss, and one brother John Parish. He survived all his siblings.

Ralph entered the United States Air Force on July 8, 1952, and served in Okinawa for four years during the Korean War. When he returned home, he earned a B.S. degree in Engineering from Washington State University and worked in the engineering field for several years. He later earned a M.S degree in mathematics/physics from Seattle University. For many years he taught mathematics and physics at the high school and community college level, where he was immensely loved by his students. After retiring from teaching, he worked as a physicist at Lockheed Martin for twenty years.

Ralph reinvented himself many times throughout his life. Some of his many accomplishments include learning to play the flute and playing in several community college symphony orchestras and authoring a children’s trilogy titled The Adventures of Tomas—The Tarantula From Tunisia, which he wrote with his grandson, Tyler. He also worked as a draftsman, designing house plans for contractors. Ralph loved to laugh and he loved life, but most of all, he loved people and especially his family.

Ralph is survived by his three children DiAnna Lynn, Barbra (Bob) Laughlin, and Donald (Sivje) Parish; his four grandchildren Tyler and Emma Laughlin, India and Ahnalin Parish; and many nieces and nephews.

He is greatly missed.