Ralph Egusquiza

Ralph Ramon Egusquiza, 74, of Mountain Home, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010, at his home ,after his courageous battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Ralph was born on Aug. 9, 1936, in Mountain Home, the son of Alipio and Violet Egusquiza.

Those who knew Ralph, which are many, will remember a good hearted man who lived the meaning of being a true friend. Ralph was never afraid to offer assistance, advice or help to anyone, even to those who may have been more fortunate than himself. Everyone has a "Ralph story" that always ends with a smile.

He loved the outdoors. His motorcycles and archery inventions fulfilled his mechanical needs, with archery hunting and fishing rounding out his days. Ralph loved the annual family hunting trips from the early days in Owyhee County to the more recent archery elk hunting trips to the high country.

Ralph's diverse careers during his life ranged from being a photographer in the Army, a switchman/conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad, a deputy sheriff, a business owner and talented mechanic, to a patent-holding inventor.

Known as Papa Ralph to his grandchildren, there was no prouder grandfather, or father of his children... though some of the bragging and stories he told cannot be factually substantiated.

Ralph is survived by his children, Debbie Neill and her husband, David, Joe Egusquiza and his wife, Marylee, Randy Egusquiza and his wife, Lisa, Mike Egusquiza and Ralph Wade Egusquiza and his wife, Shannon, his grandchildren, Erin, Troy, Mykel, Riann, Ranie Jade, Raymond, Aaron, Stephanie, and Kayla, great-grandchild Mathias, as well as his brothers and sisters, Claude Egusquiza, Joe Egusquiza, Bob Egusquiza, Myrna Wright and Mary Egusquiza, and many nieces and nephews, great friends and hunting pals.

He was preceded in death by both his parents.

The world will, without a doubt, be a different place without Ralph. His absence will hurt but his presence in our hearts, memories, and in retelling "Ralph stories" will sustain us as we go forward until we can reunite again. We love you Dad!