NIELSEN, Ralph Eugene

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Friday, June 13, 2014 Ralph Eugene Nielsen was born in San Francisco, Calif., Dec. 21, 1929. He passed away May 20, 2014. God hand-picked his adoptive parents, Viola and Harry Nielsen. Soon after, Ralph was blessed with his sister Barbara. They were raised in Oakland, Calif. After his short stint in the Navy, he came to his senses and joined the Air Force. He married Joanne and had three beautiful children, Laura and Debbie, born in Montgomery, Ala., and Mary born in Anchorage, Alaska. Ralph had a great love of adventure, which he embraced with much enthusiasm. Having to give up his ice fishing, moose hunting, camping, sightseeing and anything else he could think of doing in Alaska due to a transfer to Hanscom Field AFB, Mass., Ralph took up boating and lobster fishing while squeezing in his career, the art of making false teeth. In 1970, he retired at Williams AFB and opened the only dental laboratory in Flagstaff. Joanne and Ralph went their separate ways and Ralph later met his constant companion Christine Webb at 1st Baptist Church in Prescott while sharing his tenor operatic voice. They brought each other great love and joy throughout the many years. Christine still lives in Prescott. Ralph leaves his three daughters and his three grandsons, Ryan Balderas, David and Kevin Greer, with the love of life, a creative spirit and the sense of adventure. Be at peace and catch a ton of fish. We love you. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign his guestbook. Information provided by survivors.