Ralph Walter Stanley

Ralph lost his fight with Pancreatic Cancer on February 2, 2015 after more than a year of fighting the disease. Ralph was married to Lori Stanley for 23 years and had 2 sons, Ryan Stanley (25) and Ian Stanley(17). Ralph grew up in Pacific Grove, attending Pacific Grove schools all the way through High School, and making life long friends. He eventually became a Police Officer in 1983, and worked for Del Rey Oaks PD, Seaside PD, Monterey PD, and eventually ending up at Pacific Grove PD. Ralph spent the majority of his career at PGPD until his retirement in 2003. His favorite job assignment was the 6 years he spent on Motors as a Traffic Officer. He was well known on the Monterey Peninsula for writing traffic tickets to one and all, with very few warnings. In fact, the only time a driver would get a warning would be if they could make him laugh, and when that did occur, Ralph would happily excuse the driver from the violation. Ralph had a zest for life, living it to the fullest, watching cartoons, and laughing often. Because he grew up on the Monterey Peninsula, he had a lot of friends and knew even more people. He was known for his great attitude, willingness to help those in need, ready smile, AND his mustache... He was an avid motorcycle rider, on and off the job. He owned several motorcycles throughout his lifetime, and would strike up conversations with strangers when he would see someone riding a nice motorcycle. In 2010 Ralph found a second career as a Security Officer at the Port of Tacoma. He made many friends with the various people who work at the Port, surprising all with his effusive friendliness. Ralph looked forward to his frequent contact with co-workers, longshoremen, truckers, and commissioners all of whom sought him out for his daily dose of encouragement. And with his intelligence, thoroughness, unwavering loyalty and sense of duty, he quickly earned and maintained their respect and affection. In his last year of life, while battling cancer, his many, many friends and family rallied to his side in testament to the influence he continued to have in their lives. He gave Cancer a good hard fight for as long as he was able. He's home now, no doubt riding motorcycles and watching Despicable Me in Heaven.