Ralph Edward Duddles

Ralph Edward Duddles passed away Feb. 23, 2018 in Coos Bay.

Ralph and Carolyn Louis Steinmetz were married December 1958 in their home state of Michigan and in 2008 they were proud to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in Coos Bay. Ralph started his forestry studies at Michigan Technical University where his son Jeffrey John was born in 1962. The family moved to Seattle, Wash., to continue his studies at the University of Washington where his second son Donald Edward was born.

Ralph’s career as a forest practices forester led to assignments up and down the west coast, with stops in California, Washington and Oregon. They moved in 1985 to Coos Bay , where Ralph was the extension forester for Oregon State University where he helped local landowners in the management of their properties. He also participated in the schools forestry program, Ralph retired in 2002.

The Duddles family has roots in Oregon’s history dating from the 1800s. Ralph’s grandfather Thomas Duddles traveled from Michigan along the Oregon Trail to a land grant homestead on the coastal range near Seaside. They labored several years clearing land and raising a family. The family documents and letters from this period will be donated to the Oregon State University historical archives.

Ralph and Carolyn were able to fulfill their life long dreams of traveling to Europe and Australia. His passions at home including camping, fishing and hunting. As a father, grandfather and friend he invited all of us to join in learning, and enjoying the beauty and bounty of nature.

Ralph’s life was not a poem but a segment of the movie, "A River Runs Through It", Ralph would want us all to find our role and join the cast; pun intended.

Ralph is survived by his brother, Allen; many nieces and nephews; wife, Carolyn; sons, Jeffrey and Donald; daughter-in-law, Janis; as well as grandchildren, Melissa,Tony, Christine and John; and great-grandchildren, Jaida and Avery.

He was preceded in death by his father, Willard; his mother, Esther; and his brothers, Ronald and Glenn.

Charitable contributions can be made to the scholarship fund at his Alma Mater Michigan Technical University via www.mtu.edu/giving. If possible please specific scholarships for forestry students.

Arrangements are under the care of Myrtle Grove-Bay Area, 541-269-2851

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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