Ralph Anton Delateur

Ralph "Rudy" DeLateur passed away peacefully at age 89 in Rancho Mirage at his residence, on May 22, 2013 after a 5 month battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. He was surrounded by his three children and wife Patricia.
Rudy was a World War II veteran having severed under General Patton in the Thirteenth Armored Tank Division. Rudy participated in the liberation of several concentration camps and helped to assist many of the survivors. A fact he was very proud of but was very painful for him to speak about. Rudy and his division were ordered to take the local villagers and leaders through the camps to show them first hand the atrocities that they had originally denied occurred.
Graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from Oregan State University, where he was the President of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity; he returned home to Hoquiam, WA on June 22, 1948 he began his civilian life by working as a manager at Grays Harbor Veneer; where he continued his career to the position of General Manager and Vice President until his retirement at age 70 in 1993.
In 1965 he founded The Timberman's National Bank, later purchased by First Interstate Bank.
In 1949, on a blind date, arranged by the family attorney, Rudy would meet the woman he would fall in love with and spend the rest of his life Patricia. They married in 1950 and soon started a family. In addition to being a loving husband and father; Rudy was an avid outdoors man. Rudy could be described as a "Pacific Northwest Sportsman" enjoying golf, fishing, hunting and boating. He lived life to the fullest, on His own terms with humility, integrity and a selfless desire to serve his country, wife and children which was the core of his whole being. A profoundly LOYAL man, he equated loyalty with love. He was a man of great faith in his Catholic religion. This always led him to try his best to help others and to "do the right thing".
He is survived by his wife of 63years, Patricia DeLateur, son Steven DeLateur of Indian Wells, CA, daughter Suzanne Jackson of Atherton, CA and son Ric DeLateur of Rancho Mirage, CA. Grandson David Jackson of Palo Alto, CA, Granddaughter Kimberley Jackson of Rome. Italy and Granddaughter Stephanie DeLateur of Indian Wells, CA.
Rudy will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Services will be held on June 8, 2013 at 9:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert, CA with a reception following.
Ralph Anton DeLateur, 89, was born on July 12, 1923, in South Bend, WA. He passed away on May 22, 2013. He resided in Rancho Mirage, CA at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, CA.