1925 – 2012
Ralph Louis Schmidt was born May 22, 1925 in Cudworth, Saskatchewan. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane; 4 sons, Glenn, Craig (Suzanne), Paul, Allan (Marie); 4 grandsons, Cameron, Kyle, Nicholas, Shaun (Deanna) and great grandson, Isaac; predeceased sister, Marian; also sisters, Lucille, Phylis, Rosemarie; Jane’s sisters Elizabeth (Horst) and Christine (Bert); and many nieces and nephews. Thanks to the kind care of the hospital staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital. He served in the R.C.A.F. in later part of the Second World War, trained as an air gunner. He was employed as a professional forester with the Ministry of Forests and retired in 1982 as Director of the Research Branch. During his retirement years he followed his passion as a writer.
Memorial service will be held in McCall Brothers, Floral Chapel, Johnson and Vancouver Streets on Saturday, January 14th at 2:30 pm. Reception to follow at McCall’s Family Centre. Condolences may be offered below.
18 Responses
I too want to express my sincere condolences to the family at Ralph’s passing. He was such a warm, funny man as well as a dedicated professional and respected leader in the Forest Service. He was always admired and appreciated by his staff in Research Branch, in large part because when we talked to him we always felt he cared deeply about both our work and ourselves as individuals. I was especially grateful for his strong support during the 1970’s of the then-new (and not always popular) work in the Forest Service on wildlife, fish, soils, ecology, and other non-timber topics. He continued to touch people’s lives in his retirement, such as when he interviewed old-timers like my father to gather stories about the Depression years on the prairies. He will be greatly missed by many people.
Ralph made a significant contribution to forestry in B.C. as a researcher and research leader with the B.C. Forest Service (BCFS), Research Division. I am personally indebted to him for starting my 33 year BCFS career. It was wonderful to chat to Ralph and Jane at the BCFS retirees get-together shortly before Christmas. We will all miss Ralph’s good humour, charm and intellect. Sincere condolences to Jane and family.
Dear Jane and family:
I am very sorry for your loss.
Since I am unable to attend the service for Ralph, I would like to say that it was a joy to work with him all those years in the Research Branch. He was a kind and thoughtful man
Sincerely, Pat Chester.
Dear Jane
We cherish our friendship of over 40 years – we have many happy memories ; days at Qualicum, singing, parties for all the birthday occasions, bridge, sharing gardening know-how. We had a lot of common interests which led to many philosophical discussions. We’ll miss Ralph’s ready wit, his joyful approach to life and his love of people. He leaves a big hole in the lives of his wide circle of friends.
Love Glen and Pat
Dear Jane,
Thinking of you and your family and sharing the wonder of a beautiful life and the sorrow of its loss.
IN DEEPEST SYMPATHY.
Ursula
Jane and family,
I am very sorry to learn of Ralph’s passing. I have lots of fond memories of Ralph. As a child I remember Ralph smiling and welcoming me as the kid from next door – when I am sure another young boy in his house was more than he needed. He was a kind family man, who will be sadly missed.
Jane and Family,
I have several memories of Ralph. One was his early work on Abies species in coastal, BC. It was a good reference source.
Later, after his retirement, I was invited one day to climb cherry trees at the home of one of his sons. Ralph insisted that I get every single cheery on a limb before moving onto the ‘richer pastures’ of more heavily laden branches. It made me think that it was probably the way he did most things. He was a credit to the Forest Service and his writings will live on. .
Ralph Schmidt was the Director of Research Branch, when I was hired to carry on the provenance research in 1979. Ralph established the Coaslal Douglas-fir provenance trial, which was the very first long-tern, large-scale field testing establised in systematic way in British Columbia. He managed to establish a 10-ha test at Kemano near the species northern range, where then boat was the only access. These tests benefit us even today, providing a network of ‘natural observatories’ to study the effect of global warming on tree growth.
Ralph is humorous, unpretenously easy to access and talk to him. I miss him as a friend, a colleague, and a superior.
Cheng C. Ying
I wish to express my sincerest condolences. george stanley
Dear Jane & Family
We wish to convey our condolences at this time of your loss. We are remembering our good fortune in having experienced the Saskatchewan Schmidt’s on the ice and off! Ralph’s curling and “book” stories were something to enjoy and behold.
Morris Turner