Ralph "Bal" Ballantine

Ralph "Bal" Ballantine 1919-2013 Ralph Wyckoff "Bal" Ballantine passed away on Saturday, November 16 at the Hilton Head Island Hospital. His passing completed a full, creative life of 93 Years. In the past four decades on Hilton Head Island he was known as a trusted community leader, nationally recognized artist-illustrator, sculptor and innovative architect. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Marjorie "Sis" Ballantine in 1992. For the past 18 years he was married to Evelyn Byatt-Ballantine, a skilled painter in her own right. They lived happily in the Point Comfort community with their beloved beagle Saidy. Of The Greatest Generation Ralph Ballantine was born September 21, 1919 in St. Johns, Michigan. His father, Ralph Ballantine, Sr. was an entrepreneur in the Lansing, Michigan area. His mother Beulah Soule was a direct descendant of George Soule who traveled to America aboard the Mayflower. Bal attended Ohio Wesleyan University and joined the U.S. Marines during World War II. His first Low Country experience was training at the Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot, where he earned the rank of Corporal, won medals for marksmanship, and stood guard 24 hours through a hurricane. Fortunately, his commanding officer recognized his artistic skill and transferred Bal to Washington, D.C., where he worked as an illustrator for Leatherneck Magazine the duration of the war. Jolly Green After the war, Bal was hired as an illustrator at the Cling Studio in Chicago. The Ballantine family moved to Wilmette, Illinois. Bal commuted to the city to begin a remarkable career in advertising art. Over the next two decades he became a nationally-known illustrator, creating the "Allstate Good Hands" logo, the "Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull," and his most memorable character: "The Jolly Green Giant." Bal was the model for the Giant, and created a smiling, friendly character that has stood the test of time. He insisted his best work was the series of intricate paintings of Ingersoll milling factories throughout North America. Hilton Head Island at Last Bal and his wife moved to Hilton Head Island in 1967 and built a home on a Sea Pines second-row lot they purchased for about $8,000 from a young developer named Charles Fraser. And so, began a long creative relationship between two visionaries. With Fraser's adventurous support, Bal designed the Cape Cod-style South Beach Marina Village, the Old Fort Pub, and CQ's restaurant (this was originally Bal's design studio) in Harbour Town. Bal remained socially active on Hilton into his late-80s, attending the famous "Artist Roundtable" at the Red Piano Gallery and designing sets for the original Island Playhouse Theater. His sculpture of Charles Fraser, located at the Liberty Oak, is enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually. On Hilton Head Island and throughout his life, Ralph Ballantine was a progressive, generous, loving husband, father, and friend. His memory lives in his beautiful works and in the hearts of those who loved him so much. Ralph Ballantine is survived by his wife Evelyn Byatt-Ballantine, sisters Joan Newman of Hilton Head Island and Bobby Spicer of Sun City Hilton Head; sons Peter Ballantine of New York City, NY and Todd Ballantine of Boulder, CO; daughters-in-law Christa Ballantine and Marianne Ballantine; grandchildren Edan Ballantine of New York City, and Emily Ballantine of Seattle, WA; nieces and nephews: Nancy Vermeer, husband Paul and son Michael; Rob Newman, wife Robin, children Kailey, Regan and Jordan; Chad Newman; Joel Newman, wife Annie and daughter Walker ; Kelly Ferrell, husband Pat and daughter Erin; Kevin Spicer, wife Melodie, and daughter Melanie. A memorial service is planned for spring and will be announced in The Island Packet.