Ralph Frank Mocker, of Goleta, California passed away peacefully on Friday, March 9, 2012 in North Bend, WA after a three-year fight against cancer. His family and friends were blessed with a husband, father, grandfather and companion outstanding in so many respects.
Ralph was born on July 17, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA where he was raised and studied at Carnegie Mellon. After moving to Santa Barbara in 1957, Ralph met Elizabeth (Bette) Claire Ruelle and they were married on December 2, 1961 at the Santa Barbara Mission. They resided a short time in Santa Barbara where they became close friends with Pat & Terry Tibor, a friendship that lasted 50 years, and continues through their children and grandchildren.
Ralph and Bette moved to Goleta in 1966 where they raised their family. Ralph enjoyed a long and rewarding career as a missile engineer at Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, CA until his retirement in 1997. He was preceded by the passing of his dear wife Bette in 2000. Ralph enjoyed learning French, painting with watercolor, attending operas and achieving local grandmaster status as a bridge player. His family and friends will remember his devotion to family, passion for arts, and kindness to all.
Ralph is survived by his three sons and their families; Frank & Sue Mocker and her daughters Lindsey & Jessie of North Bend, WA; Paul & Janet Mocker of Bellevue, WA; and Joe & Melissa Mocker and their children Astrid & Hendrix of Sunnyvale, CA.