Ralph Eugene Parkhouse

Ralph Eugene Parkhouse, 85, of Lone Tree, Colorado, passed away on August 20, 2024. Ralph was born on September 23, 1938 to Eugene Parkhouse and Irene (Nelson) Parkhouse in Fargo, North Dakota. After Ralph graduated from Arthur High School in 1956, he went on to study mathematics at North Dakota State University (“Go Bison!!”). After graduating in 1960 with a degree in Applied Math, he fulfilled his ROTC commitment by entering the army as an officer, kickstarting a 17-year active duty career in the army. Ralph was subsequently stationed at Menwith Hill in Yorkshire, England where he met Elizabeth “Anne” Marcham in 1963 when she bravely drove with some friends to the American Officers Club for a night out. Ralph and Anne were married on September 17, 1965 in Bingley, Yorkshire, England and went on to have children Stephen and Joanne. 

During Ralph’s time in the army, he completed two tours of duty in Vietnam and was also stationed with his family in England, New Jersey, Arlington VA, Baltimore MD, New Orleans LA (where he earned an MBA from Tulane), Springfield VA, and Hampton VA. In 1977, Ralph retired from active duty and moved to Littleton, Colorado to work as an engineer for Martin Marietta and remained in Colorado for the duration of his life. Even though Ralph had transitioned to a civilian job, he continued his military career in the Army Reserves, obtaining the rank of Colonel. Ralph retired from Martin Marietta in 1998 to create more time to spend with his son, Steve, who had sustained a brain injury from a car accident. 

Throughout his life, Ralph loved to golf and has a first place golf trophy or two in his history. He also loved to play cards, with poker and bridge topping his list of favorite games. Always up for a game of pinochle or cribbage, he played cribbage right up until the end of his life. As time went on, both Steve and Joanne began families of their own, and cheering on his five grandchildren at their sporting events was one of Ralph’s very favorite things to do. An avid sports fan, Ralph consistently cheered on the NDSU Bison, the Denver Broncos, the University of Colorado Buffaloes, and the (so sad) Colorado Rockies. 

Ralph was predeceased by parents Gene and Irene Parkhouse, wife Anne, son Stephen, and brothers Kendall and Keith. He is survived by daughter Joanne Parkhouse (Jack Song), sisters Kathleen Burley and Lugene Obermaier, brother Roger (Sharon) Parkhouse, sister-in-law Bea Parkhouse, daughter-in-law Pat Parkhouse, and five grandchildren. 

Services will be held on October 10, 2024 at 10:30am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 6322 S. Lakeview St, Littleton, CO 80120, with a reception to follow at the church, and military honors at 1:30pm at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80236. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org), an organization Ralph and Anne felt strongly about.