Dr. Ralph P. Bilbao

Dr. Ralph P. BILBAO Dr. Ralph Bilbao, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 2, 2011 while vacationing on Maui. He was born to Delfin and Margaret Bilbao on December 25, 1941 in New York City, New York. He, his parents, and his twin brother soon moved to Plattekill, New York where his extended family owned and operated Villa Garcia, a popular Spanish resort. A private and stoic man, only Ralph's family and closest friends knew that he struggled with Type I (Juvenile) diabetes from his youth. He never complained nor compromised his activities because of this debilitating disease. Throughout his life, his first love was his family, with whom he enjoyed his most pleasurable experiences. Downhill skiing, golfing, and body surfing were the vacations of choice while his sons were young. He also reveled in attending every single one of his sons' school games, and in retirement Ralph was gaining even more enjoyment from attending the practices and games of his three grandchildren. Ralph attended the University of Miami for his bachelor's and master's degrees, earning a 6th year administrative degree from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and his doctorate in educational leadership from Seattle University in Seattle, Washington. To hone his intuitive negotiation skills, Ralph also studied labor relations at Cornell University. A natural leader, Ralph put his formal training to good use as a lifelong, highly successful educator. Ralph moved quickly from teaching and coaching to high school principal, superintendent of schools, and ultimately college president. In each of his positions he was known for having an unmatched ability to blend the needs of the students with the fiscal responsibility of the educational organization. Strong, decisive and knowledgable, he was a role model for future administrators. Ralph retired after 45 years of dedicated service to students in Florida, Maryland, New York, Washington State, and Arizona. Ralph was pre-deceased by his parents and his first wife, Sherrie Kleiger Bilbao. He is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Elaine Burdick Bilbao of Mill Creek, WA ; his son Marc and family (wife Tara and grandchildren Megan and Jake) of Long Beach, CA; his son Paul and family (fiancee Althea and grandson Lane) of Bothell, WA; his stepson Scott Wood and wife Rocio Resendiz of Pasadena, CA; his twin brother Gene Bilbao and wife Betty of Benton, PA; three nephews; three grand-nephews; and two grand-nieces. In memory of Ralph donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International at http://www.jdrf.org