Mio Padre

My father, Ralph Cameron Mitchell of Payson, Arizona, passed away at on August 21, 2022 at age 93. After a long career as a high school science instructor teaching chemistry, physics and general science, Ralph had retired to the Oregon coast in Lincoln City and Florence, and Arizona.

Ralph was born in Portland on December 15, 1928 to Cyril William and Ethel Adele Mitchell. His siblings included older sister, Grace Eva Mitchell, younger brother Bruce Allan Mitchell and stepbrother Harold James Barker.

He attended Irvington Elementary School and Grant High School, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Reserves in 1944. He graduated from Grant High School in 1947. Following graduation from high school, he reenlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1949, serving until he was honorably discharged in 1951.

While in the reserves, Ralph attended the University of Oregon in Eugene with an interest in pursuing a degree in architecture, then completed his bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics at the University of Portland in 1953.

Ralph married Charlotte Nitta Cargni in Portland in May, 1952 and they had five children, John, Robert, Richard, Carla and Stephanie. They later divorced. Ralph married Florence Edna Edgar in Portland in June, 1983.

After working for Ortho Chemical and General Electric Company, Ralph obtained his teaching certificate and taught high school science and coached athletics in Ukiah, Forest Grove and Sutherlin, Oregon before he was hired at Evergreen High School in Vancouver.

In 1961, Ralph was hired at the newly opened John Marshall High School in Southeast Portland. He later obtained his master's degree from the University of Portland and also taught night classes and summer school for many years.

Ralph enjoyed the outdoors and joined the Mazamas, a mountain climbing organization based in Portland. He climbed Mt. Hood countless times, along with Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, among other Cascade peaks. He was an avid sailor and explored the San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands on several occasions.

An avid Duck fan since his days at the University of Oregon, Ralph and Florence had season tickets for Oregon football for many years and were among those early adopters who cheered the "Mighty Ducks" and witnessed the team develop from also-rans into champions. 

Ralph and Florence ventured to many bowl games, including the Cotton Bowl, Independence Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Seattle Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and several Rose Bowls, including a big win over Russell Wilson and the Wisconsin Badgers in 2012 for their first Rose Bowl victory in 95 years.

He is survived by his wife, Florence of Payson, Arizona, children John (Rebecca) of Eugene, Robert (Elaine) of Philadelphia, Penn., Richard (Nancy) of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Carla (Bob) of Portland, and Stephanie of Tigard.

Ralph is also survived by his grandchildren Regina, Jory, Nicole, Sarah, Jessica, Jason and Brandon; and a sister, Grace Eva Mitchell Freeland of Redwood City, California. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bruce and stepbrother Harold, and his granddaughter, Jacy.

Soul Brothers

Editors note: The following is an excerpt taken from Wilderness Strangers: Adventures in Shangri-La, to be published early this fall by Luminare Press.

Now working in the office until June, wilderness ranger Joe Blanco would meet Jan’s friend Carol Winters, who was pulling a stint as the receptionist at Lake Wenatchee Ranger District.

Carol had co-founded a community theater group known as the Plain Players. She asked Joe if he had any interest in joining the group. “Sure, that sounds like fun” said Joe. “I was something of a thespian in high school.”

 

“Excellent,” replied Carol. “One of our members is having a social soon, and you can audition for the group at the cocktail party that will be held in Shugart Flats near Plain.”

 

Carol then suggested that  Joe perform a skit where he would mimic Shirley Temple singing the “Good Ship Lollypop” for his tryout at the upcoming social gathering. 

The cocktail party would be hosted by Georgia Campbell, an upscale New York socialite and theatre aficionado who had relocated to the wilds of the Upper Wenatchee Valley.

 

Providing Joe with a cassette recording of the song so he could practice, Carol promised to supply the costume, wig, and makeup. All Joe would need to do is practice lip syncing the tune. In the evenings after work, he retreated to the Mushroom Haus to practice.

 

When it was time for the summer season to begin, Carol resumed her position as a fire prevention guard when the district ranger hired a new front office receptionist, Carli Townsend. Carli, a music maven, would come to play piano and provide most of the music for the Plain Players.

 

Meanwhile Kerry arrived at the Lake Wenatchee Ranger Station for his summer assignment as a wilderness ranger, and his first task was to find a place to live.

 

By mid-June, most of the better housing options on the compound were already claimed, so Kerry pitched his tent at a campsite in the Dirty Face campground and reported to the office, where he was greeted by Carli.

They hit it off immediately, so Kerry asked Carli if she knew of any rentals available in the area. “You might check with Joe Blanco,” suggested Carli. “He just rented a little cabin (above) down by The Cougar Inn."

"You can’t miss the Mushroom Haus," she added. It has an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme with mushrooms painted on the sides of the structure. It's across the highway from The Cougar Inn (below).”

 

“Thanks, Carli, I will do just that,” replied Kerry.

 

Dancing around the Mushroom Haus mimicking Shirley Temple to a cassette tape of “The Good Ship Lollypop” in preparation for the tryout, Joe suddenly noticed an odd fellow gawking in one of the many windows lining the deck of the cabin. He looked harmless enough, so Joe waved him to come inside.

 

“Are you Joe Blanco?” the blonde, wiry fellow inquired.

 

“Yes,” replied Joe, “and who might you be?”

 

“My name is Kerry Weiss,” he countered. Kerry and Joe learned they would work together as wilderness rangers. Though strangers, soon they would be fast friends.