Ralph L. Welken

Ralph L. Welken, 80, rural Detroit Lakes, Minnesota died Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Essentia Health, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Ralph was born on October 2, 1931 the son of Olav and Emma (Larson) Welken in Valley City , North Dakota . He was raised and educated in Valley City . He was united in marriage to Barbara Bowman on June 26, 1953 in Valley City . Through this union three children were born; Karen in Fargo, ND, Wayne in Bay Shore, NY, and Jane in Santa Ana , CA. Ralph received his B.S. degree in 1955 and M.S. degree in 1958 in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at NDSU. He also taught courses in AC and DC circuits and machines at NDSU. Ralph joined Sperry Gyroscope in New York as Senior Engineer from 1956 -1957. He then went on to serve as Electronic Engineering Research and Development Officer with the U.S. Air force from 1957-1959 at the National Security Agency. Ralph was a research scientist with the Aeronutronic division of Ford until 1961, when he went to work for Packard Bell Computer Corporation as Manager of Memory Systems Research and Development Activity until 1962. Ralph served as Manager of System Engineering for Philco-Ford until 1969 and received a patent for developing the "Bistable Trigger Circuit". Ralph started his career with International Telephone and Telegraph in 1969. He traveled and worked in various places throughout the US and world for ITT which included Nutley, NJ; Antwerp, Belgium; Taipei, Taiwan; Seoul, Korea; Cape Canaveral, FL and Brussels, Belgium. Ralph retired from ITT in 1987 as Director of Program Management of Digital Switching Systems with special emphasis on the Norway Project. After his retirement he started Welken Enterprises, Inc., a private consulting company. Throughout his career he received several honors that include a letter of commendation from the Vice Minister of Communication of the Republic of China in Taipei, Taiwan, the ITT "Ring of Quality", "The Golden Palms of the Order of the Crown" from the government of Belgium and a letter of commendation for his service as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He traveled extensively throughout his career and shared those experiences with his family. Ralph enjoyed traveling in his motor home and camping across Europe and the U.S. After his retirement they spent winters in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and summers at their home on Maud Lake in rural Detroit Lakes. Ralph was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and Senior Member of IEEE. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. Ralph enjoyed salmon fishing on Lake Sakakawea and spending time with his family. Ralph is survived by his wife, Barbara Welken of rural Detroit Lakes, MN; his children, Karen (Bob) Chaprnka of Jackson, MI; Wayne (Laurie) Welken of Bloomington, IN; Jane (Andy) Butzer of Detroit Lakes, MN; six grandchildren, Crista Ulteig, Tyler and Alison Welken, Bryce, Emma and Anya Butzer; two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Welken of Valley City, ND; Miriam Welken of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Lloyd, Kenneth and Donald Welken; and sister-in-law, Vivian Welken. Donor's choice for memorials are preferred.