RALPH L. KECK

Ralph L. Keck, longtime Edgewood, WA resident passed away at his home on April 9, 2026. Ralph was born in Raymond, WA on August 20, 1948. He graduated from Puyallup High School in 1966 and joined the U. S Air Force the following year. He proudly served 4 years as a security police officer and was a Vietnam veteran. He was also stationed in Kansas (where he met his wife Nancy) and Minnesota.

Ralph loved working with his hands and was a carpenter for several years, building and remodeling houses. He became a Federal Civil Service employee in 1978 as a carpenter/mason with the 62nd Civil Engineer Squadron at McChord AFB until his retirement in January 2011.

Ralph’s passion was serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Edgewood Fire Dept. (now East Pierce Fire & Rescue) for 26 years. He was Fire Chief from 1983 to 1989, following in the footsteps of his dad, George, who was Chief from 1965 to 1975. He was also involved with moving and maintaining the Edgewood Nyholm windmill from Jovita Blvd to its current location.

He enjoyed his many fishing trips around the state with best friend Joel Dodd and fishing at Bay Lake with Don Nelson. He had a great sense of humor and loved teasing everyone, especially his grandkids. Ralph loved his family and is survived by his wife of 56 years Nancy, daughter Kim (fiance Kirk), son Lance (Melissa), 6 grandchildren Stephanie (Mark), Joe (Skylar), Natalie (fiance Treson), Kaiser, Christian and Lauren, and 2 great-grandsons Robert and Andrew (due in July). He is also survived by his 3 sisters Sharon of Spokane, Kathy (Rick) of Wishek, ND, and Karen of Puyallup. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Yvette Keck and brother Robert.

Remembrances may be made to Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association, American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 22, 2026 at P. C. Professional Firefighters Local 726 building, 427 North Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371. He will be interred at the Tahoma National Cemetery in a private family service.