Ralph W. Kiewit

August 15, 1921 - August 4, 2013
Ralph W. Kiewit Jr, long-time resident of the Malibu Colony, died peacefully at his home with his wife Oralee Kiewit at this side. Ralph was born in Omaha, Nebraska where his family, lead by his paternal uncle Peter Kiewit, had created one of the country's most eminent construction companies. In 1931 Ralph's parents moved the family to southern California where Ralph graduated from Santa Monica High School and then Stanford University. Ralph later started his own construction company, building southern California landmarks including the Union Bank building in Sherman Oaks and the Shorecliff Towers in Santa Monica, as well as the San Souci in Waikiki and Hotel Bora Bora in French Polynesia. As a Santa Monica lifeguard, Ralph was part of southern California's beach culture and in the 1930's and 40's became a pioneer surfer at Malibu and other prominent breaks. He married Oralee Abrams in 1947, and in World War 2 served in the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, seeding a passion for flying that carried through his life, flying his own jet until finally retiring as a pilot when he was 87 years old. Ralph and Oralee had one son, John S. Kiewit, who died in 2000, and Ralph is survived by his lifelong love Oralee.
Any remembrances are best directed to the John S. Kiewit Memorial Foundation that, reflecting both Ralph's and his son John's passion, is dedicated to conserving the natural and rural integrity of the central California coast. Address donations to Kiewit Memorial Fund, c/o Price, Postel & Parma LLP, Attn. David W. van Horne, PO Box 99, Santa Barbara, CA 93102.

Photo Caption: Ralph Kiewit on far left at Malibu Beach, 1939