Ralph Joseph Martin Jr.

Ralph Joseph Martin Jr.

Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

Ralph Joseph Martin Jr. was born on Nov. 4, 1934, in Iowa City, Iowa, and passed away on Nov. 21, 2022, in Torrance, Calif.

During Ralph's early years, the family lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Ralph attended St. Mathew's Elementary School. When old enough, he was the altar boy for the daily Mass at 6 a.m. He delivered newspapers, mowed lawns or shoveled snow after school. The family moved to a farm near Central City, Iowa, and Ralph attended and graduated from Central City High School. He excelled in vocal and instrumental music as well as academics and art. Ralph graduated from Iowa State University in 1956. In 1957, Ralph married Phyllis French in Coggon, Iowa, and immediately began his service in the U.S. Army in Korea. After his discharge, Ralph and Phyllis moved to Riverside, Calif., where he took a position with the city planning department. Ralph later joined Victor Gruen Associate in Los Angeles, and in 1971 became a partner, and later president of Richardson, Nagy, Martin Architects and Planners in Newport Beach, Calif. In semiretirement, Ralph designed, and with his partner, built Torrance Flite Park at Torrance Municipal Airport. During his lifetime, Ralph had a passion for flying. He was selected for the Wright Brothers pilot Award by the FAA.

Ralph had three (deceased) siblings and is survived by his sister, Theresa Moore, of Marion, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and his wife, Phyllis.

In lieu of flowers, donations are subjected to: Western Museum of Flight, 3315 Airport Dr., Torrance, CA 90505-6512.