Ralph C. Bullock died Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at Ivinson Memorial Hospital.  He was 98 years old.

He was born on November 23, 1917 in Cozad, Nebraska and was the third of five children to parents Levi and Nancy Bullock.  At age 20 he married the love of his life, Mary (Hervert) Bullock in Gothenberg, Nebraska.  They moved to Laramie in the early 1940’s, where together they raised their six children.  The couple was married 71 years before his wife passed away in 2009.  Ralph was the proud father of Roger K. and his wife Betty (both deceased) of Cheyenne, Linda G. Yeo and her husband, Eric (both deceased) of Blewbury, England, Connie M. Manig and her husband, Herb of Laramie, Judy A. Bullock of Laramie, Rodney R. (deceased) and his wife, Cathy of Cheyenne and Elizabeth M. (deceased). He had 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Ralph’s life occupation was with the Union Pacific Railroad where he served as a head locomotive engineer. As the operator of a train Ralph was responsible for driving the engine, as well as the mechanical operation of the train, the train speed and all train handling.  This was particularly challenging on his usual run from Walden, Colorado to Laramie where treacherous weather and terrain were often encountered.  Although Ralph was a perfectionist when it came to his job he was never too busy at work to find time for his children or his wife.  He was known for enhancing the lives of others, giving time and money to charitable organizations, being a loyal friend and a person you could always count on for help and support.

Ralph and Mary enjoyed many activities together.  They owned a cabin in Saratoga on the Platte River where they hosted many exciting family adventures.  They were very active members/officers of the Wally Byam Caravan Club, an organization of Airstream travel trailers, where they spent many years traveling across the U.S.  Following retirement they enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona where they owned a seasonal home.

Ralph was a life long member of the Masonic Lodge, Elk’s Lodge and a railroad affiliated union.

Immortality lies not in how long you live but in how well you live.  Ralph treated every day as a gift from God and lived his life to the fullest, becoming a blessing to all those he encountered.  We celebrate today knowing that he is dancing on Glory’s side.

Please join us for memorial services at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home on Monday, October 10, 2016 at 11:00am with Rev. Rhett Ivey officiating.  Private inurnment for family will follow in Green Hill Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Ralph Bullock Memorial Fund in care of Connie Manig at 1158 Granito Drive, Laramie, WY 82072.