January 29, 1930 - November 20, 2005

Parents were Ruby Frances Bradshaw and Earl Frank Ecklund. Grandparents were Minnie Willis and William Bradshaw, and Anna C. Olson and Frank Emil Ecklund. The Bradshaws derive from England via Pennsylvania in 1723. The Ecklunds came from Finland and Sweden to Seattle in 1899.

The Ecklund family lived in the Broadview area from 1927, moving to California in 1937, returning to Leschi in 1938, and settling in Sunset Hill in 1946.

Ralph joined Boy Scout troops 123 and 57. He was confirmed at Plymouth Congregational Church. The family attended Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church.

Ralph attended 14-plus schools, including Garfield and Broadway High Schools, then graduating from Ballard (1948). Ralph graduated from Harvard University (1952). He attended the US Army Language School (1953), where he received "A's" in five languages. Ralph crossed North America 20 times, traversing 42 states and parts of Mexico and Canada.

From 1958 until 2004, Ralph participated in the family operation of Lockhaven Apartments.

He enjoyed photography, genealogy research, reading, collecting books and videos, horticulture and growing rhododendrons.

Ralph was a life member of the American Rhododendron Society. He supported the Dunn Gardens, the Rhododendron Species Foundation and other horticultural societies.

Ralph never married. He is survived by his sister Jean Kippen, his brother Earl F. Ecklund, Jr., his nephew Earl F. Ecklund, III and 4 great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by 3 aunts, 17 first cousins, and many second cousins.

Ralph expressed thanks to his many relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, neighbors, doctors, colleagues, tenants, employees, business associates, and the community-at-large for enriching his life.