Former Sitka resident Ralph C. Conatser, age 86, passed away Feb. 5, 2015, in Colville, Wash.
Born in Livingston, Tenn., he traveled across the country working as a machinist. He moved from Oregon to Sitka in 1965, taking a job at Alaska Lumber and Pulp Co.
He also flew as a commercial pilot, and commercially fished from Sitka to Yakutat. In 1975 he homesteaded in western Alaska, along the Yukon River, until the passing of his wife, Helmi, in 1991.
He traveled as far away as Costa Rica and Panama in later years, and spent time visiting four generations of his family. He led a full and adventurous life.
He is survived by siblings Edith Beaty, Tennessee, Allan Conatser, Indiana, and Vonda Dobbins, Alabama; and four children, Glenda (Chris)Klumper, of Poulsbo, Wash., Ron (Karmon) Conatser of Colville, Wash., Allan (Sheila) Conatser of Chase, La., and Steve (Loni) Conatser, Fairbanks.
Eight grandchildren, Stephanie Stroud, Christopher Klumper, Andrew Klumper, Travis Conatser, Tamara Kyle, Tom Conatser, Patty Conatser and Michael Hathaway; and three great-grandchildren, Isabella Klumper, and Tucker and Carter Conatser, also survive.
He was proceeded in death by a grandson, Phillip Conatser.
At Ralph’s request, no service will be held.
