Ralph Hiram Dexter    1905-1995
pg. 2

This picture of Fred (left) and Ralph was taken in front of their grandfather, Asahel Dexter's home in Center Township, Marshall County, Kansas.

Ralph remembers the summer nights were so hot.  They would sleep on the sidewalk in front of their house.

He attended grade school at Reeds, a mile from home in the country.

Ralph went to college at the University of Nebraska and graduated there in 1929.  He used to run exhibition races for football games and other affairs.  His main race in college meets was the half mile and his best time was 1:55.03. He set a record in 1927 or 1928 in the 660 and in an exhibition race.

He had aspirations for being a doctor at one time, and started towards that in college, but changed his mind after he had a set back with a ruptured appendix. He changed his major to teaching and it became his life's work.  

Ralph married Helen Mary Woodcox, July 5, 1930 at Lisco, Garden County, Nebraska.  The wedding was at the home of her parents, Elgin and Macie (Hays) Woodcox. They had one daughter born at that same home, out on a farm seven miles north of Lisco.

Ralph and Helen were divorced March 27, 1937 at North Platte, Nebraska.

Ralph and Marie Bartholomew were married May 28, 1940 at North Platte, Nebraska.  They lived in Sheridan Montana in the summer of 1941.  Then they moved to Alaska for four years.  Ralph said "Marie taught most of one year, did secretary work for the hospital.  I did the laundry one year for the hospital, another year did the janitor work, also papering and painting, worked on a truck one summer.  Marie started going hunting with me and soon several other wives would go with their husbands.  Marie went seal hunting with me and another fellow once."

"We had lots of rain up there, averaged about 130 inches a year.  We did a lot of things in boats.  Not much sunshine, just lots of rain; snow in the hills and at times we had snow.  What fun we had!"

"We turned down a $760 a month job as manager of a theatre in Kodiak because we wanted a family and thought it was not wise to rely on the doctors there" said Marie.

"You've hired two good teachers from Cordova, how about a third?"  This telegram netted Ralph a job at R A Long High School in Longview, Washington where he worked from September 1945 until his retirement in 1970.

They bought their home on Pacific Way in Longview in 1948.  They had a huge yard, beautifully arranged with flowers and shrubbery including a lovely 50 foot hedge of climbing roses and a strawberry patch.

During the summer of 1947 he started having a great deal of trouble with his back.  He was operated on in October by a Dr. John Marxer, an Orthopedic Surgeon from Portland, Oregon who said it was a miracle that Ralph was living (in 1962).  Ralph said, "I was the first known being to live through that type of cancer and the bones eaten up by the cancer grew back after about 3 or 4 years and I never wore a brace on my back.  I always will believe that exercises and keeping busy, were responsible for my being able to do what I do today."

A more industrious, active person would be hard to find. Ralph had a quick wit, very positive tone, and moved quickly and with ease.  He was direct and sincere. He had a kindliness that he sometimes covered with brusqueness. He was a good manager of his money, time and talents. He had a creative imagination and an earnest desire for good things.

This is how he answered the following questions:

What recreation do you enjoy most?   "Dancing, hunting, playing cards, but not like I used to; going places and doing things with my family."

What hobbies do you enjoy most? " I think I enjoy my chinchillas a lot.  I enjoy fixing or building something more to our home."

What kind of people do you like best?  "People that want to have a nice home, that are friendly and that are willing to help one another."

What do you desire most for your children? " Just to live a good wholesome life and have a nice home."

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