Dr. Ralph MacDonald, 76
Dr. Ralph MacDonald, 76, passed away at home March 24, 2007, six years after suffering a stroke. Ralph Floyd MacDonald was born to Frank 'Mac' MacDonald and Anne Matilda MacDonald on Dec. 9, 1930, in Whitefish. Ralph was the fourth of six children. He graduated from Whitefish High School and went to Modesto Junior College, where he played football. Ralph finished his undergraduate studies at Fresno State University.
Ralph joined the Marine Corps, where he met Virginia 'Gina' Brumme of Detroit. They were married in San Diego on Feb. 2, 1957, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2007.
After marriage, Ralph went to dental school at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. Ralph found his way back to Montana when he started a dental practice in Missoula in 1961. In 1996, when he retired, he was awarded the T.T. Rider Award for distinguished service to organized dentistry and the people of the state of Montana.
Ralph also was instrumental in starting the Partnership Dental Clinic, was a long-standing member of Rotary, and served on the United Way board of directors.
Ralph and Gina had six children, Scott, born in San Diego; Brian, Craig and Deidre, born in Milwaukee; and Laird and Heidi, born in Missoula.
Ralph's greatest joy was to spend time with his family. We had 40 wonderful summers at the family cabin on Flathead Lake, fall was spent watching Griz games and hunting in the mountains, and winters skiing at Snow Bowl and Big Mountain.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, Virginia 'Gina'; children, Scott and Kelly MacDonald, Brian MacDonald, Craig MacDonald, Deidre and Greg Frame, Laird MacDonald, and Heidi MacDonald and Randy Scott; nine grandchildren, Grant, Nolan, Piper Frame, Olivia and Bryce MacDonald, Bailey, Macklyn, Addison, and Sullivan Scott.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Anne; stepmother, Dode MacDonald; brother and sister-in-law, Francis and Mary MacDonald; sister-in-law, Peggy MacDonald, and brother-in-law, Ed Schenck.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at noon today, March 28, at Christ the King Church, 1400 Gerald Ave., in Missoula.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to New Directions with Rural Institute at the University of Montana.