Ralph Thrall III

This is Ralph Thrall III, General Manager of the McIntyre Ranch that we visited on 26th May. He arrived at the Ranch to talk to us about the history and running of the Ranch before we hiked the grasslands. The following information is from the McIntyre Ranch website:

"Born (1964) and raised in Lethbridge, Ralph considers the following to be some of the highlights of his life (aside from his involvement at the McIntyre Ranch). He attended high school at a co-ed private school on Vancouver Island, B.C. (Brentwood College) where he was able to participate on two rugby tours (one to France and Spain and the other to Fiji, New Zealand and Australia). Ralph continued his education at a College in California and is proud of his accomplishment of becoming captain of the golf team during his second year there. Returning home, he appreciated the valuable lessons he learned while working as a labourer, caretaker and waiter. Following this, Ralph pursued his interest in golf by playing on the National Golf Association tour in Arizona in 1985 and on the Canadian Golf tour in 1986. Ralph began working at the Ranch in the fall of 1986 after dropping out of University in Lethbridge. He married Rae Ann Ingarfield in 1987 and they both moved to the Ranch that summer. Their daughter Amara was born in 1994 and their son Ralph IV was born in 1996.

Ralph's position as General Manager led to his goal of making the Ranch the best it could be. He is proud of his accomplishments of overseeing the many improvements to infrastructure at the Ranch and his involvement in improving the quality of the cow herd and the condition of the grassland. Ralph credits his wife Rae Ann, his parents Catherine and Ralph Jr., Mac MacLean and his closest working associate Duane Spitzer for assisting him to reach his goals over the years. Other primary interests include travelling, skiing, fishing, spending more time with his own family and friends as well as with his sister Erin and brothers Eric and Chris (and their families). Ralph continues to hold on to his dream of again playing professional golf."

Added on 30th October 2011, from the Lethbridge Herald Newspaper. I noticed that quite a number of people were looking at my photo via Google yesterday and today. I was greatly saddened when I read the reason.

"MR. RALPH AMBROSE THRALL JR. of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Catherine C. Thrall, passed away in Calgary on Friday, October 28, 2011 at the age of 78 years."

I send my condolences to the family and friends of Ralph Thrall Jr.. A friend and I met this gentleman just the one time, at an exhibition at the Alberta College of Art, about the McIntyre Ranch, but a group of us was privileged to spend a wonderful day on the Ranch back on 26th May 2007. I know that there will be a great number of people offering support to the family at this very difficult time and keeping them in their thoughts and prayers.