June 19, 1928 - March 5, 2025
We are sad to announce the passing of our Dad, Ralph Kelm, on March 5, 2025. Ralph passed peacefully after spending his final years in long term care at Nanaimo Seniors Village. He was 96 and
predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Betty Kelm. Ralph was born in Richmond and raised by his parents, Gustav and Helen Kelm. He grew up with his 5 siblings - Bert, Delores, Fred, Jerry and Joan - on Lansdowne Road. Ralph loved to watch sports, play practical jokes, and listen to country music.
Ralph met Betty Albertson at the roller rink, and they married in 1951. He built their first family home on Ackroyd Road on land adjacent to the home of his parents. Neighbours knew each time another Kelm baby was on the way when Ralph would start adding on another room to the original bungalow. He was a creative problem-solver and built custombunk beds, desks and other innovative, space-saving furniture.
Ralph spent most of his career as a lumber inspector for the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB). He won the PLIB grading championship twice and taught grading classes. Later, as a PLIB supervisor, he traveled throughout North America conducting re-inspections at mills.
Ralphwas fortunate to win the Save the Orpheum Lottery in 1974. The family moved to a larger house on Ludlow Road where they became lifelong friends with neighbours and welcomed a steady stream of family, friends and visitors to parties and celebrations. Ralph had a unique way of delivering a speech with a good punchline.
Ralph was always good for a game of catch in the back yard and coached several softball teams for his kids.Watching a sports game with Dad was always entertaining; his shrieks of joy when his hockey team scored were legendary and often accompanied by spilled coffee on the
person next to him.
Ralph was the family cards and board game champion; he never let his kids or grandkids beat him but would show them how they could have done it. He had an excellent ability to teach math and logic in a relatable way.
When Ralph retired in 1993, he and Betty moved to Nanaimo where he loved watching the eagles and handfeeding tree trimmings to visiting deer. Ralph walked 3km a day into his 80s with the Hearts in Motion walking club, sometimes accompanied by a visiting grandchild or two. Ralph and Betty later enjoyed several more years together at Origin at Longwood.
Ralph is survived by his 6 children and 4 grandchildren: Karen, Andrew, Lori (Doug, Scott, Eryn),
Nancy, Wendy and Peggi (Dave, Adam, Ryan), as well as his brother, Jerry, and sister, Joan. He
will be forever missed and always in our hearts.