Ralph Robert Royston

Ralph Robert Royston (R3) died peacefully at home September 6, 2025 at the age of 76. Ralph was born on April 21,1949 in Dayton, Ohio to Eileen and Harold Royston. He lived the majority of his life in Southern California: his youth in Costa Mesa, his working life in Seal Beach and his married life in Long Beach. He lettered in tennis in high school and he learned to play the trombone well enough to be 1 of 76 trombones in the musical production of Music Man, performed at Orange Coast College. He graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 1972 with a degree in mechanical engineering . He was immediately hired by McDonnell Douglas and spent the rest of his career working as a flight test engineer on the DC-10/MD-11 and with the engine propulsion group on the C-17. His interests during this time were adventurous and eclectic. Bicycling was his favorite mode of transportation, not only back and forth to work but to San Diego, Mexico, Solvang and UC Davis. He was an avid sailor and an officiant at the sailing events during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He loved camping and river rafting. He rafted multiple rivers in Colorado and Utah but his favorite was rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Nothing compared to that. Living most of his younger years as a single man Ralph finally met and married the love of his life, Suzanne. They were married in Prescott Arizona, one of their favorite places on earth and they were a month shy of celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. Besides Suzanne, Ralph is survived by his three sisters, Beth, Jean (Jan) and Mary (Greg) and multiple nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many long time friends who have been with him through all of his ups and downs in life. Ralph had a big heart and treasured every single relationship he had in his life. Ralph's life ended during the full moon which, as an amateur astronomer, would have brought a smile to his face.