Ralph Thompson Stewart

Ralph Thompson Stewart, 73, of Joseph, died July 26 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise. At his request there will be no services. He will be buried in the Stewart family plot at Mountain View Cemetery in Farmington, Wash.

He was born Feb. 21, 1937, to Irene (Ireland) and John Paul Stewart in Spokane. He graduated from Spokane's West Valley High School in 1955, and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959. He spent time in the Air Force Reserves from 1959 to 1963. Following the Reserves, he received a two-year degree at Everett Junior College. He graduated with bachelor of science degrees in forestry and in range management from Washington State University. He worked as an aide in the Wildlife Management Program at WSU.

Following his graduation, he worked in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies for the U.S. Forest Service. He received his Level 4 Law Enforcement Certificate in Glencoe, Ga., and served as a law enforcement officer as well as the assistant ranger for the Eagle Cap Ranger District during the 1980s. He worked on the Gallatin National Forest at Livingston, Mont., until his retirement in 1995.

Following his retirement he returned to Wallowa County which he considered home. He worked at Bollman Funeral Home, the Wallowa County Hospital as a certified nurse's assistant and volunteered to deliver flowers for the Enterprise Flower Shop. He spent summers volunteering as an interpretive caretaker in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area for the U.S. Forest Service.

Ralph was a member of the Baha'i Faith, Mensa Society, Equestrian Trails and Hurricane Creek Grange. He was a founding member and past treasurer of the Eagle Cap Shooters Association. Those who knew Ralph say he was dedicated to establishing a shooting range for the people of Wallowa County and volunteered many hours toward that effort.

He was married in Spokane to Marian Howard in 1962. They had two children, Martin Allen and Suellen Elizabeth. In 1980, Ralph married Gail Aschenbrenner of Enterprise.

Ralph enjoyed being in the outdoors, hiking in the mountains, horseback-riding, working crossword puzzles and reading. Ralph and his black Labrador retriever, Cyd, were well known for walking around Enterprise visiting people. Ralph had a love for animals his entire life. He adopted many stray dogs and cats.

He is survived by his daughter, Suellen Stewart of Yakima, Wash.; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon; sister, Barbara; and son, Martin.

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