Ralph Edward Pohto, 85, passed away in his home while being cared for by family, on April 1, 2025 in Eastern Washington.

Born August 12, 1939 in Helena, Montana, he was the son of Lois Katherine and William August Pohto. He attended public schools in Helena. He served as a Medical Corpsman with the Montana Army National Guard. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman for two years and then moved to Salt Lake City where he worked as a Laboratory Technician for Hercules Powder Company while attending the University of Utah. He was active in the Bozeman and Salt Lake City Masonic Lodges while in school. He graduated in 1967 with a B.S. in chemistry.

While living in Salt Lake City, he met the love of his life, his corazon and bride to be – Beatrice Martinez. They drove to Great Falls in their Rambler station wagon, “Ramblin’ Rose”, and were married September 18, 1962 in the Methodist Church by Reverend Vernon Hanks.

After graduation, Ralph and Bea moved from Salt Lake City to Richland, Washington where he worked for Battelle Laboratories as a radiochemist. After a few years they moved to Idaho, living on a beautiful farm in Moore while he worked for the Naval Reactors Facility and the for Argonne National Laboratory. Other work included Nuclear Reactor chemistry in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, San Jose, California, Pottstown, Pennsylvania and Clinton, Illinois. During these cross-country travels, his wife Beatrice worked and maintained her Nursing license in each of six states (ID, IO, CA, PA, IL and WA). Ralph returned to Washington as a chemistry instructor for Washington Public Power, retiring from Hanford in 2002.

Ralph was active in retirement as a volunteer GED math tutor, activities of Richland’s Northwest United Protestant Church, and genealogy research. He enjoyed interviewing and authoring the WWII war experiences of four of the brave men who defended freedom.

Ralph is survived by “Bea”, his wife of 63 years, son, Mark G. and his wife Victoria, grandsons Mark E., Cody J., and granddaughter Karen of San Antonio, TX. He has seven great grandchildren. Several of Ralph’s cousins live in Missoula and Great Falls, Montana. His close cousin Laura who has been such a comfort to the family lives near Sacramento, CA. Ralph was sadly predeceased by his dear daughter Marina, RN, who died – too soon – November 22, 2005.

Ralph was proud of his Finnish, Swedish and Irish ancestry, and of his Montana roots. His maternal and paternal grandparents homesteaded in Montana. He enjoyed backpacking, mountain climbing, traveling, playing guitar and many good times spent with friends and family. He often commented on how he admired the closeness and strength of the Martinez family.

One Finnish word sums up Ralph’s outlook on life; “SISU”, (It’s homework – look it up!). Ralph loved his family and could not have been a better father or a more loving husband. He had a bold and positive attitude about all things and never-ending humor that carried us all through many challenging times. He could walk into any situation where things were chaotic, hectic or overly serious and soon have people smiling and knowing that he cared about them. He was a respected and just leader with high standards. Ralph never criticized others but his wisdom was shared gently for those who asked for it.

The Pohto family thanks Ralph’s friends and acquaintances for their time together. Soon there will be family trek to Montana, visiting places where the family homestead cabin and sauna were stood, places where he played as a child, and the church in Great Falls where he married his eternal love. The trek will conclude with a short memorial service at Forestvale Cemetery in Helena where he will be reunited with family. There will be a marker at Sunset Gardens, near Marina’s resting place so he can be visited and remembered locally.

In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial donations to the Nature Conservancy of Arlington, Virginia.