Happy Birthday, Pops.
I miss you so much.
I have so many things I want to share with you and ask you about.
Stay near when you can. I love you.

Happy birthday, dear Ralph! How I wish you were here to celebrate 80, but you will be forever 70! I still miss you so often throughout my day as I do the things we did together, or meet with friends I met through you to play bridge, or face new challenges that I know you would have some solution oriented ideas about. I do wish you would find some new way to say hello - the shoelace trick is amusing but isn't it getting a little old? All my love, Juli

I miss you everyday grandpa, but more so around my kids' birthdays.
I long to hear your laugh, as well as any advice you may have to offer.
I still feel so lost without you.
I love you.

Thinking of you today, wishing we had had more time, but ever so grateful for the time we had. I still think of you every day in some context or other, and the memories make me smile. Grateful for all that you added to my life. Love.

Happy birthday! I would say I was thinking of you more this week as your birthday approached, but I don't think that's true. I still think of you every day, with or without an anniversary approaching. The last couple of weekends were outdoor art fairs, and I miss you every step of the way in preparing and being at those. Ellen has stepped up as the sherpa and second vehicle, and assistant on site, without which I wouldn't even try to do this anymore. My vision has seriously declined this year, and I remember your concerns with vision and some of the things you were starting to experience with that. I miss your laugh, reading aloud together, playing games, talking about everything and anything. Most of all I miss your generous and loving heart and I savor the sweet memories of what we had.

I still think of you regularly, especially when playing games. Such a loss.

8 years, how can it be so long? You are still in my thoughts daily, and sometimes I miss you so keenly it takes my breath away still. Today was an art reception and I took you with me by wearing the lovely jewelry that you designed, and the hair ornament. Several guests and artists also knew you and they were reminded of you by these items. It’s always a sweet memory, I notice. You were very loved in your community and I think deeply missed. I “wish you were here” so many times and for so many reasons - especially when there are political upheavals that I would love to discuss with you, or gatherings of friends that we shared. Mike and Maria have formed up to make new Swiss Teams partnerships we me and a new bridge partner. Nira is having her traditional July birthday / bridge party celebration - I know you will be.missed there also. I remain grateful for the time we shared. I miss your humor, your companionship, your resourcefulness, your cooking, your generosity and most of all your love.

Happy Father's day grandpa. I miss you everyday ❤️

I miss you so much Grandpa. Charlie and I are getting married this year and I wish so badly you could be here for it.
I love you. ❤️

Happy birthday! Have been thinking of you a lot more this week as your birthday approached. I am gearing up to show art, and have been matting, wrapping for bins, and framing work, loading the car and delivering it to the site. All the hours you spent helping me do all those things make me miss you the more now doing them without you. Last week was the autumn equinox, and I went to visit the memorial site to see the sunset, and to remember you. I still think of you every day, but these remembrance moments have brought the pain of your loss to the surface more than I have felt it in a while. I still smile and feel the warmth of your love as well. Your presence in my life enhanced it so much that missing you now is a small price to pay for the gifts that you gave. Sending love to your spirit wherever it may now reside.

It's been 7 years and while I miss you every day, I still smile at the wonderful memories of the love you brought to this world. I am so glad to have had you in my life, although it was far too brief! I had lunch with Gaby and Christy and Vivi in April - oh how I wish you could see what an amazing young woman she has become! You would be so delighted! I wish you could have been here to celebrate my reaching Life Master in May, a goal several of your friends encouraged me to believe possible! When we are able to gather again for games soon, I am sure your ears will be ringing! 

I closed on my house today!! I wish I could have called you to tell you. I miss you so much, grandpa. ❤

Thinking fondly of you on your birthday - appropriately spent it playing bridge with a friend you introduced me to, and later having the courage to jump into a game with a stranger, because you taught me well to share the love of the game, and how to have a strong but basic game. I so wish you could have been here to enjoy the wild rush for points as I get close to Life Master - something I didn't even think would ever be a reasonable goal for me - but your friends who remain my friends encourage me and have played with me on the way. And it is getting close now. I am so grateful for all the friendships you introduced me to, who remember you fondly and speak of you often. I am blessed to have had you in my life!

Grandpa,

I miss you so much everyday. You're still the first person I want to share any life changing news with, as well all of the small things going on in my day to day life. You were always my rock, and sometimes I feel so lost without you.
I wish I could call you and share all of my accomplishments over the past year...
I brought two more great grandchildren into your life, one by birth, and one by meeting a man who I have no doubt you would have approved of. (If only because of how happy he makes me and how much he loves all of us) I found a job that values my work, and appreciates what I do for the company. (They also have a Roth401k, so per your advise I will never leave willingly) I was recently promoted, and acknowledged by the vice president for my accomplishments. I also was just approved for my first home loan, can you believe it?
I may not have taken the path you would have chosen for me, but I think you would be proud of me regardless.
I love you so much.

Hello all, I still think of Ralph regularly throughout the year and mention to friends new and old of his warmth, ready smile and generosity in sharing his expertise in games.

My sweet Ralph - it’s been six years! It sometimes feels like the blink of an eye and sometimes feels like an eternity. I still miss you and think of you every day - so many things I would enjoy sharing with you! I wish that I had had the time to play bridge with you that I have now for playing with others. I am enjoying it a great deal and am so glad you got me back into the game, and gave me such a great grounding in modern conventions. I love sharing some of your bits of wisdom with others. “The first rule of bridge is to have fun”!

It would have been interesting to go through this pandemic sequestration with you. I miss talking with you about current events and in these unsettling times especially. I wish I could see you enjoy still more great-grandchildren - it’s becoming quite a tribe with another one on the way this fall. I know you would delight in each and every one. I miss how you were able to connect with so many different people, and make them feel special and “seen”. I miss your laughter, and I miss your warm and generous heart. I still hear you worrying about whether I am going to get enough new art ready for the next show, and celebrating each new piece as it is completed. I wish we had more time, but am also so grateful for the time we had and the love so freely given. You changed my life. Remembering you with love today.

So much has changed in 5 years! You have been gone for half as long as we were together! Still the impact you had on my life endures, and I will be forever grateful for the love we shared. I still miss you every day, but memories of you make me feel warm and happy. It is so sweet to see that others remember you fondly and think of you also. I love you.

Julianne invited me to a show. It reminded me of Ralph. I helped him frame a lot of art and became friends with them both. Two things I will always remember: Ralph baked me treats when I was going through a tough time. And my favorite was how he shared that Juli was perfect for him: she was an artist and he appreciated art!

5 years, wow. I was talking about Ralph with someone recently, remembering his wit and patience in teaching games, as well as his game prowess. Such a loss.

Happy belated birthday Grandpa!! This year I took the kiddos to see/meet the Kratt brothers on your birthday. I'm unsure if you knew who they are but the things they've taught the kids about animals is amazing! I truly think you would have enjoyed the show, especially watching the excitement on the kids faces.
I miss you so much, everyday. It makes me so sad to think I'm bringing another Baty into the world and you aren't here to meet him/her. I love that sissy has memories of you for us to reflect on, I make sure as much is shared with brother as possible, and will continue to do so with our newest addition.
I love you, Grandpa. ♥️

You are in my heart every day. Taking a moment today on the anniversary of your death to acknowledge how much I still miss you, and how dear I hold the memories of our time together. Still so grateful for all that we shared, and all the ways you positively impacted my life. There are so many things I wish we could talk about, and experiences I wish we could share. I love you.

I will always remember what an intelligent and kind person Ralph was and how he made the world a better place with him in it.

Interesting, it's "only" been 4 years yet on reflection, it seems like you've been gone much longer.  Still missed.
Rich

Happy birthday sweet Ralph! I have been thinking about you all day remembering how much you loved celebrating everyone else's special occasions. I wanted to write here but I could almost hear you saying "but you have to finish your prints for the show..." You always worried that I would not have time to get them all done. Well - you could be right.  It's been known to happen. Oh, you are missed. I wish you could be here to celebrate your birthday! I think even some folks who joined games group after you were gone miss you! I do love that your spirit lives on in the games groups, at the bridge clubs, and of course, in the family. I am grateful every day for the relationship we shared and the gifts that it has given me. I love you.

Another year, and you are still missed. What a loss to all who knew you.

Wow, hard to believe it's been 3 years without you, Ralph. Always enjoyed your humor and banter as well as your intelligence at the game parties we attended together. You continue to be missed.

It's been three long years. I still reflect on your wisdom & what an amazing peacemaker you were. We miss you old friend. Until that "Forever Someday"....

My dearest Ralph, I still think of you and miss you every day. Most often it is with gratitude for the many ways that you enhanced my life in the too brief decade we had together. When I work in the studio, I remember your delight in seeing progress from day to day. When framing art, I remember how we had a system for putting the frames together and I miss your assistance! When I pack work to deliver to a show - I remember how you helped me with the physical work, but also with thoughtful additions to the tools and strategies we used - ways to protect the frames during transport, for example, and how to hang the work at an outdoor display. At election time, I missed the long conversations we had over all the ballot propositions each year. 

I miss you when I play bridge. I enjoyed being your partner so much! I do play with the Baty Bridge Bunch, which Mike has kept going. It is good to have the gang together although it’s only once a month now. I miss going to games nights with you. I still go some Saturdays, but not as regularly. It’s not the same without you, of course, and it’s easy to let other activities take precedence. Still I appreciate the friendships you introduced me to in those groups, and I like to stay in touch. I continue your tradition of season tickets at North Coast Rep, and have taken friends to the performances, as you did before I met you. Still eating bison from Glacier Grown - just received my second order. Still enjoying organic produce, but from Sprouts and my own garden, this year. Just could not keep up with the box! Still making art inspired by our travels, but also making more local scenes. You will appreciate that I added the people into a beach scene that I painted this week - and it sold within 24 hours. I know, you told me so!

I miss your delight in your family, and your thoughtful and loving attention to your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I loved your research into the gifts you would give, research that often started months before the birthday in question. Even though sometimes the package wouldn’t get into the post in time to arrive for the birthday, you always had the gifts in house well in advance! I miss the rowdy family gatherings you had every summer and at holidays. You were so generous with your time and attention, and affection.

You affected my life in so many ways that carry on today, but what I miss most is the day to day - just being together. Laughing. Loving. You reading aloud while I knit - how many books did we get through? Alternating fiction and non-fiction. Watching a little Netflix. Playing Boggle. For all the sadness I feel over your being gone, I still feel joy in the memories of our time together, and gratitude for the love that you gave me.

I will take a walk at Coast Walk today, and think of you and remember you with love.

Grandpa,
I miss you so much. I still pick up my phone everyday wanting to hear your voice, to tell you about everything I've been doing, new things the kids are learning. I've taken such big steps forward this passed year and I finally feel like I'm leading a life you'd truly be proud of. That's what I've always wanted, to make you proud. You taught me so much, you were always there for me, and always wanted me to live to my full potential instead of standing still. I love you. I love you for pushing me, for loving me unconditionally when I was a complete brat, for always being there for me when I needed you, for providing consistency and being the most stable part of my life. Thank you for telling me I could live to be more, for pushing me when I didn't believe in myself, for always being honest, even when that honesty was too much to hear. ❤

Ralph, you inspire us still. My wife Kate & I often reflect on how you conducted your life, the things you said & did. Sometimes when I consider a choice of options & it doesn't quite work out the way I planned, we can hear you say "that was a most unfortunate decision". Until we meet again, old friend.

Ralph was such an inspiration. I worked with him in finding the right style for framing some art work, and he became a friend and mentor. A brilliant light in the lives of all that knew home and he always introduced you to others and shared his baking, a kindred spirit. He will always be in our hearts!

Sweet Ralph, I can hardly believe it's been two years. I still miss you and it is a great comfort to remember all the good times we had together - games, and bridge, plays and travel, and all the books you read aloud to me. I'll be at the Fair today - doing a demo, another thing you helped me with - and I'll think of you at the wood show, and at the gadgets tent! Two exhibits you loved! And many people are remembering you when they see the art I have in the Fair this year - both pieces are from our last trip together, and the hikes we took in Bishop. One is a portrait of you on the trail, your face highlighted by the setting sun. "Last Light". Much love.

I miss you so much, everyday. I love you grandpa.

Happy Birthday Buddy! I miss your physical presence at BB Games every month. Maybe you can look over my shoulder when I am playing your favorite card games, and whisper in my ear the best cards to play. This way you still get to enjoy the game from the other side, and everyone will wonder why I keep winning. LOL.

Ralph was such an interesting, intelligent and good person. The happy memories of game nights and bridge with Ralph will always be missed.
Ralph was admired by everyone who knew him.My heart goes out to his great love Juli, and his family.

Thinking of Ralph on his birthday, traveling and doing "urban hiking" as our friends Doug and Kelly called it. I wish he could have shared this adventure with me. He was a great travel companion!

Just thinking about Ralph on what would have been his 72nd birthday. I only knew him from games groups, but think about him regularly when I play.

For all the sadness of Ralph’s absence in body, I still feel the impact of his love and the relationship that we shared. I feel so lucky to have had the time with him that I did. The feelings of sorrow are always followed by gratitude for what we had. And a flood of happy memories. He was a remarkable man. He is my rock.

Ralph remains in our hearts & thoughts, even today. Sometimes, when I'm struggling with a decision, Ralph pops into my head with a suggestion as to how he might deal with it. That helps ! Even when something doesn't quite turn out the way it was intended, a famous quote from Ralph comes to mind............"That was a most unfortunate decision".  We miss you dear friend. Until we meet again.

When I see the beautiful light in your girlfriend's eyes, it is always a reminder of the light of goodness that was in you. You will always be remembered fondly...but did you have to take your cookie recipe with you? LOL!

Barbara's annual 4th of July party is coming up soon. We'll save a spot for you at the table. Miss you, Ralph.

I miss you so much, Grandpa.

Just a note to say you're still missed and thought of regularly by me and many others.

I didn't know Ralph well, but liked his sense of humor and his love of family and friends. He left us far too soon.

I miss you every day. Ellen and I celebrated your birthday by going to dinner and a concert. You would have enjoyed the dinner - the concert, not so much! A little loud for your taste! Enjoyed lots of happy memories of our time together. Wish you were here to hang the exhibit in Vista this week - an ambitious 53 pieces in a solo show. Congratulations on your great grandson born the 24th - what joy you would take in him! Love, Juli

Happy Birthday Ralph, We miss you! ~Kris (aka Ariel)

Thinking of the tremendous loss we all felt with Ralph's unexpected and tragic passing. I think of him regularly when playing games. Rest in peace, Ralph.

Happy Birthday to Ralph

Time to remember Ralph on his own special day. Kisses to Juli, his vigilant and strong best friend,

I've always only known Ralph as "Juli's Ralph" - as that, I always knew him as a most devoted and loyal partner to her. We would see Ralph about once a year, with the occasional skipped year, depending on whether they could make it to our annual family gathering in Debordieu, SC. This past weekend I felt like I got to know the whole Ralph, having spent the weekend on his "turf", including his home, where I stayed, and got to spend significant time with, and get to know, his brother. From meeting so many who knew him, and seeing how he touched so many people, many in a profound way, I now have an even better sense of how much he meant to my beautiful sister, and how deeply missed he will be. I'm glad I got to see this, glad I got to know Ralph, as more than just "Juli's Ralph" - although, even as that, he was really something. Rarely have I seen such devotion and loyalty as he always showed to her. One of my lasting memories of Ralph will always be of him reading to Juli, while she knitted, in the little sitting room outside of where they stayed when we shared a large beach home several summers ago. Such devotion. Remarkable man. My sincere sympathies and sorrow to all of his family - may grace and comfort be yours, and my sisters, as you all carry on, with the warm memories of a most remarkable man, who touched your lives, so.