Sowden, Ralph Pryor passed away on March 9, 2021. Born on February 14, 1953 in Minneapolis at the Swedish Hospital. He graduated from Edison High School in 1971. He enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1971 - 1977 and earning a National Defense Service Medal. He studied Aviation Electronics and achieved the rank of Aviation Electronics Technician, Petty Officer 2nd Class. As a senior electrical engineer, his strong work ethic earned him immense respect from his colleagues. A lifelong musician, he played trumpet in a drum and bugle corps in the Navy, as well as several community bands, including a Dixieland combo and the Northeast Community Band. He was a die-hard Twins fan. He also loved hunting, fishing and taking cross-country trips on his motorcycle. Devoted husband and father. Preceded in death by his father Joseph P. Sowden. Survived by wife Cynthia Sowden and daughter Elizabeth Sowden; mother Arlene Sowden Coe; sister Candace Sowden Gettings, and nieces Tamara Nipper and Jody Rogers. Ralph will be interred at Fort Snelling. Memorial service to be determined at a later date. The family requests that memorials go to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation (clfoundation.org/) or the Northeast Community Band (northeastcommunityband.com/).

Published on March 14, 2021