Ralph Winston Donart Gierke's Obituary
Ralph Winston Donart Gierke
March 26, 1942. June 04, 2022
Ralph was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Winston Donart and June Handford Donart. His parents later divorced and his mother married John A. Gierke of Sacramento, California. The family moved to St. John's, Oregon where his sister, Margery, joined the family. The family moved to the Boskey Dell area of West Linn, to a small farm, when he was about 10. His mother started the Boskey Dell 4H Sheep Club with Ralph and Margery as the original members. Ralph was active in FFA and theater at West Linn High School, graduating in 1960. He attended OSU and then transferred to Lewis and Clark College until he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After the Army he finished his teaching degree and later his Master's degree. He taught at Bolton Middle School, in West Linn, from September 1971 until January of 1996.
Ralph met Susan Ray in 1980 (on a blind date) and were married on March 23, 1981. The best gift was when Jeremy Ray Gierke arrived on December 30, 1981. In 1991 we decided that we all wanted country life and bought property in the Clarke's area. After Ralph retired he missed the young people, so he started substitute teaching, mainly for Colton School District. He also ran for a position on the Molalla River School Board. He was finishing his 23rd year at the time of his passing. Ralph's focus was always to share the arts and his love of nature. He worked with 4H with snow skiing and whitewater rafting. Later, as Jeremy grew, he worked with Boy Scouts of America with Troop 140 and Venture Crew 86 leading whitewater trips. He wanted to share not only his love of the river, but to teach them about being responsible for nature too.
We've spent a lot of time talking about all of our 'kids' that we shared so much time with.
Our family was blessed when Jeremy and Lindsey made us grandparents to grandson Jaaron McCoy Gierke in 2013.
Enjoy the beauty of nature, love those special to you and hug ALOT
Ralph is survived by his wife, Susan; son Jeremy(Lindsey) and grandson (Jaaron) along with many extended family members and friends.
There will be a gathering at Molalla High School in September.
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