Ralph received his B.A. in Communications and English from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. He attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul receiving the M.Div. in parish ministry. He served as Associate Pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul for five years. In the summer of 1980 he accepted appointment from the former Lutheran Church in America to serve as mission developer of King of Kings Lutheran Church, Woodbury, MN, where he would serve as senior pastor for thirty years. His amazing ability to remember names and passion for mission, centered in these words, "the heart of a congregation is known by what it shares with others beyond its doors," inspired the rapid growth of the congregation to become one of the larger churches in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Ralph serves as Planned Giving Officer for the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. He serves the community as a member of the Century College Foundation, Rotary International and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Ralph enjoys spending time with family and his Grandson Samuel, traveling, reading, sports and is always ready for a game of cribbage.