Ralph O. Boden

Ralph O. BODEN March 21, 1915 ~ May 23, 2011 Ralph O. Boden was born March 21, 1915 to O.G. and Nellie Delarue Boden in a tarpaper shack in his father's construction camp near Mitchell, Nebraska. He lived in construction camps during his early years as his father moved every few years in his occupation as a US Government Civil Engineer supervising the construction of irrigation projects. Ralph began his education in the Kiowa one room school house in school district 46 in Nebraska. He continued his education in Gering, Nebraska before going to Ellensburg, Washington, where he studied as far as the first two years of high school. His next move was to Nyssa, Oregon to finish high school. From there he proceeded to Oregon State College (now Oregon State University). At OSC he studied Civil Engineering before transferring to the School of Education and received a BS in Education with the Class of 1935. While at OSC he affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. While at OSC he met Florence Harrison, a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, who would become his future wife of 55 years until her passing in 1991. Ralph and Florence were married June 14, 1936 and had three children, two daughters Gail McCowen of Gresham, Oregon and Mary Prantil of Seattle and one son Ralph, Jr. of Auburn, three grand children and five great-grandchildren were added. After working one summer in an insurance office, Ralph began a 55 year insurance career November 1, 1935 which specialized in commercial insurance for heavy construction contractors worldwide. This included time spent with pioneer general agents like Hansen & Rowland, Inc.of Tacoma and Stuart G. Thompson Company in Seattle. Companies employing Ralph included American Automobile Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company. His principal employment was with Marsh & McLennan, a worldwide Insurance broker. Along with his insurance career, Ralph was associated for 30 years with the educational programs of CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters). Pacific Northwest Chapter of CPCU created the Ralph Boden Lifetime Achievement Award. Ralph was past President of Pacific Northwest Chapter of CPCU and Past President of Surplus Lines Association of Washington. Private service and interment were held at Evergreen Memorial Park. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.