Ralph Vold

Nansen Ralph Ravnsborg Vold

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our husband, father, and Papa Ralph.

Ralph was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on December 3, 1930.  He did his primary schooling in Asker, Waterglen and Calumet, and attended high school in Ponoka.  Ralph was a gifted athlete. He pursued his athletic career in both hockey and baseball, playing as a defenceman for the Crowsnest Pass Lions of the WHL. In 1952 he played for the Boston Olympics – the farm team of the Boston Bruins. Baseball became his focus from 1952-1958, where he pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. Ralph was also a relief pitcher for the Edmonton Eskimos. A favourite memory was when he pitched the final game in the Global World Series against Japan in Detroit, losing in extra innings.  Ralph was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in four categories – hockey, golf, baseball and rodeo.  When his pitching days were over, he purchased the auction market in Ponoka with his brother Harry and Shorty and Bill Jones. Vold Jones & Vold Auction was formed. Ralph got his pilot’s license in 1962 in order to be able to cover more ground, visit with more ranchers and “really get things done”. In the early 1980s Ralph opened Wolf Creek Golf Resort.  Ralph was made an Honorary Chief of the Four Bands – Chief Calf Child. He was the very first inductee of the Livestock Market Association Hall of Fame, and is the reason that cattle are still sold by the pound and not kilograms.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dolores "Del"; sons Ryan (Ellie) and Blair (Sheryl); daughters Lori, Cathy (Joe), and Vicky (Duane); 15 grandchildren; and 28 great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his parents Nansen and Kirsten; father and mother-in-law Hector and Hazel Labrie; three brothers Norman, Harry, and Clifford; four sisters-in-law Shirley Labrie, Elaine, Marion, and Eileen Vold; grandson Cooper Tonneson; and niece Janet Vold.

A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at the Calnash Ag Event Centre in Ponoka at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.  The service will be livestream broadcast at service time and can be accessed with the video link located below.

Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Ponoka Community Health Centre (Home Care), or any charity of your choice. 
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph Vold, please visit our floral store.