Ocean Gold
2009-11-08 18:53:52
Sorry to here that Ralph is gone, it will be a loss to the fleet, Ralph was fun to talk and listen to his storys. It's very hard to believe he's gone, we just talked to Ralph about a week ago in the parking lot at Freddy's.
Ed and Kathy
spike christopher
2009-11-09 16:49:07
did Ralph grow up in Ketchikan? It is sad when we loose pieces of our foundations to the trolling fleet.
Salty
2009-11-09 17:48:48
Ralph grew up in Petersburg and lived and fished out of Petersburg until the early 90's when he moved to Sitka.
salmon4u
2009-11-09 23:11:16
I Loved listening to Ralph's great stories over the years on 77. Wish he would have written some books. We'll all miss him.
Condolences to his family, What a loss. : (
Salty
2009-11-10 08:05:43
A memorial will be held November 11th 7p.m. at the Sheetka Kwaan Naa Kahidi House.
Funeral will be November 12th 10:30 a.m. St. Michael's Cathedral with a reception following at the Naa Kahidi House.
carojae
2009-11-10 15:18:12
I did not personally know Ralph but did enjoy listening to him while out fishing.
Very sad to hear the news. My condolences to the family.
Salty
2009-11-10 20:42:46
Subject: Ralph Guthrie obituary
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009
Norman Ralph Guthrie, Tlingit name Ltaaduteen, 73, died suddenly November 7, 2009 while out hunting with his wife Maria near Goddard Hotsprings.
Ralph was born in Ketchikan, AK August 6, 1936. Ralph belonged to the Yaneidi clan, Tlingit and Tsimpsian. He grew up in Petersburg, and graduated Petersburg High School. From February 6,1959 to February 14, 1965 Ralph served in the US Army, stationed at Fort Richardson.
From his first marriage he had 2 children, Erin and Seth.
Ralph and Maria Kitka were married May 9, 2003, and were together for 17 years.
At the age of 7 years Ralph started fishing with his grandpa, Alexander McGilton, and was hooked to the point that he spent the rest of his life trolling and longlining throughout SE Alaska.
Skipper of the Illahee, story teller extraordinaire, and a legendary highline king salmon troller, Ralph was one of the most distinctive fisherman voices of our or any generation,
An avid Alaskan outdoorsman he was always out harvesting fish, deer, seaweed, berries, gumboots, clams, or whatever the season had to offer. He shared his harvesting bounty with numerous local people, groups, and communities around SE Alaska. He didn’t just talk about his harvesting as he was a regular at fisheries meetings helping to make and keep the fisheries healthy.
Ralph loved to write poems and he would always share them with everyone, especially at Christmas time.
He enjoyed making necklaces and his Saturday yard sales. He was a well known figure in Sitka easily recognized by his distinctive decorated hats.
Survivors include wife, Maria Guthrie of Sitka; son-Seth Guthrie of Palmer; daughter-Erin Guthrie of Kentucky; sister-Renee (Dolly) Mang of Bothell,WA; nieces, Brenda Louise of Petersburg; Cindy Alne of Bothell,WA;; Terri Bingisser of Bothell, WA; Christine Graves of Dutch Harbor; nephews, Alex Guthrie of Petersburg; Norman Guthrie of Bellingham,WA; Victor Guthrie of Bellingham,WA. As well as numerous aunts, uncles, neices, nephews and cousins throughout Alaska.
A memorial will be held November 11th 7p.m. at the Sheetka Kwaan Naa Kahidi House.
Funeral will be November 12th 10:30 a.m. St. Michael's Cathedral . with a reception following at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Remains to be interred at Sitka National Cemetery November 17th, at 1:00 pm.
Pallbearers:
Seth Guthrie, Alex Guthrie, Norman Guthrie, Victor Guthrie, George Guthrie and Walt Pasternak.
Honorary Pallbearers:
Fred Fayette, John Petraborg, Eric Borgan, Nick Davis, Paul (Buzz) Schriber, Eric Jordan, Pat Wood, Bob Chevalier, Harold Martin, Al Wilson, Jim Dennis, and Bill Paden, Dave Lyons.
Carol W
2009-11-11 03:28:33
Definately part of troll history and community is now lost, I have a favorite Ralph story as I am sure do others a very sad time for the alaskan troll fleet.