Maves, Ralph Ralph was born October 29, 1933. He was preceded in death by his father Otto; mother Alice; brother Lyle; sister Lois; and nephew Richard Lindberg. He was also preceded in death by many wonderful uncles, aunts, and cousins. Two special family members of note who mentored Ralph are brother Lyle and cousin Donna. Ralph is survived by his children, Allison, Paul and Brent; nephew Robert Lindberg; daughter-in-law Arcenia; longtime friend Judy; many great cousins, and special friends Marilyn & Sally. After graduating from Superior East High School, Ralph entered the University Wisconsin- Superior (UWS) in 1951. Ralph was a member of the Air Force ROTC for two years. Ralph went to Naval Officer's Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, after a semester at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was assigned to Admirals Staff Naval Forces Far East in Japan in 1957 after completion of Naval Officer's Candidate School. Ralph was flying to Hawaii on his way to Japan when the plane lost an engine. The plan was to repair the engine in Hawaii in a day or two and then fly on to Japan. Ralph was hoping they would take a new plane which was different than the Navy's idea. One day later, they taxied the same plane out on a runway to take off. Several crew members rushed to say the plane had to be evacuated because the engine was on fire. The fire was extinguished. Eventually, the military personnel boarded the same plan and flew safely to Japan. During his tour in Japan, Ralph made the decision to apply to Language School. He was sent to Monterey, California, to study Bulgarian. He received orders to pack his bags for Turkey after one year of studying Bulgarian. Ralph was married to Nancy Almstedt in his hometown of Superior on December 1959. He traveled to Turkey after a two-week honeymoon. Nancy followed one month later. There were two exciting events which happened during Ralph and Nancy's time in Turkey. First, an American spy plane (U-2) was shot down by the Russians while flying over the Soviet Union. Ralph's unit was part of the United States contingent that was tracking the plane across Russia. Second, the Turkish civilian government was taken over by the Turkish military while Ralph and Nancy were in the country. Martial law was instituted which led to interesting consequences for the married couple. One example is Ralph and Nancy being stopped one evening by Turkish soldiers with machine guns. Ralph taught one year in Superior after returning the United States. The Maves family then moved to the Twin Cities area in 1962. Ralph accepted a job in the Roseville School District in 1964. He taught thirty-five years as a school psychologist in the Roseville District. He was a past president of the Minnesota School Psychologists Association (MSPA). Ralph also received a Lifetime Achievement award from the MSPA. Ralph was a lifelong Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer fan. He loved to play tennis and bike ride on the trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He enjoyed spending time on his land in northern Wisconsin. He liked to travel. Ralph's favorite trip was to the east coast of the United States. Ralph attended many plays and concerts. One of his favorite performers was Roger Williams. Ralph's wish to be cremated was honored. A service will be held at Fort Snelling at a later date. Memorials donations can be sent to Minnesota Special Olympics (solegacygiving.org or contact Connie Grandmason at 866.690.3951) or YMCA (contact Jeri Glick- Anderson jeri.glick-anderson@ymcanorth.org or (651) 435-6724).

Published on November 22, 2020