Obituary

Ralph Benton Sorstokke was born on September 24, 1946, to Carl and Margaret Sorstokke of Ogden, Utah. Ralph and his parents moved to Bellingham, Washington in 1947. Over the next 10 years he became a big brother to Carol, Wesley, and Darlene.

Growing up, Ralph had a paper route and developed an inquiring mind into all things science related. He raised pigeons in coops behind the garage, learned to fish off the docks, and at 15 he always had a car or two torn apart in the backyard. Ralph graduated from Bellingham High School in 1964 and started college at Western Washington University. In the spring of 1965 Ralph met his future wife, Linda Kay Dickson. In 1966 Ralph enlisted in the US Army for three years to avoid the draft. Ralph got out of the army in July 1969 and married his college sweetheart, Linda Dickson, on September 13, 1969. Ralph returned to school at WWU, graduating in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and began working at the Bellingham Georgia Pacific research lab. Ralph and Linda adopted their son, Paul Jason Sorstokke, in May of 1976: He was 3 months old when they picked him up from Social Services in Spokane, WA. Ralph taught Jason to fish as soon as he could hold a fishing pole and we have many happy memories of the family fishing together.

After working 16 years at the Bellingham GP, Ralph was transferred to Puyallup, WA in 1988: One year later Ralph was transferred to Georgia Pacific Headquarters in Decatur, Georgia. Ralph and Linda lived in Georgia until he retired from GP the fall of 2004. Ralph and Linda were anxious to return to Washington and their families and so in February of 2005 they moved back home. In 2007 Ralph was introduced to Rummikub. Ralph and our families have spent many happy hours of fun and laughter playing Rummikub. For the last 15 years Ralph has lost most of his hearing in spite of a cochlear implant and a hearing aid.

Ralph loved anything to do with water – from walking on the beach to turning over rocks and checking out tide pools. He loved fishing and was written up in the Bellingham Herald for catching a 13-foot skate off the Fairhaven dock. He loved fishing for Salmon and caught a 49 pounder off of Orcas Island. In Georgia, he became an avid Bass Fisherman and enjoyed trips to Florida with his son Jason for deep sea fishing. Ralph loved his family and thought his wife was the “catch” of his life.

Across the next 17 years, Ralph fought and survived both Bladder cancer and Vocal Cord Cancer, but in 2021 Ralph was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. He lived 3 more years, but in the end Cancer finally won. On May 10, 2024, Ralph died peacefully with his wife and son at his side.

Ralph will be remembered as a favorite uncle and a treasured member of both families. His balanced nature and quiet humor were foundational and aspirational to many. He will remain in countless hearts as an example of a truly honorable man who loved his family and made the world a better place.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 25th, at 1:00 p.m. at Moles Farewell Tributes – Bayview Chapel, 2465 Lakeway Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229.

Donations can be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America in memory of Ralph Sorstokke.