Ralph Martin Blocksma

The world lost a fairly handy dutchman this year, as Ralph Martin Blocksma, longtime resident of Western Michigan and South Florida, passed away on March 16th, 2025 at the age of 78 after many years of putting up an incredible fight against cancer. His family and friends, too many to possibly recall, are all mourning the loss of such a generous, tough and helpful soul.
Ralph was the second child and first son born to Douglas and Nancy Blocksma, in Chicago IL in 1946. His parents were both college educated, in particular his father being a psychologist and decorated WWII veteran in the Navy. Ralph was raised in Grand Rapids MI alongside his four siblings, and was one of the final graduates of South High School in 1964. He attended Central Michigan University shortly after, but it didn't stick for him and moved to Flint, MI after a year and was employed at General Motors plant. He eventually returned to Grand Rapids to resume classes at Grand Rapids City College (now GRCC) in their diesel program, transferring to Ferris State to complete a teaching certificate in the same field.
With his education in hand, he started a mechanical/engine training program for veterans outside of Detroit Michigan in the early 70s. He was formally drafted by the US Army, and then discharged from consideration due to his age and state of the war. He continued to feel unsettled and unsure of his larger direction in life, took up an offer of a family friend to rent a room in Boulder, CO in 1973 and moved everything that could fit into his Fiat 124.
He found work at local pubs as well as a mechanic shortly after arriving, and within a few months was managing the city's fleet of sanitation trucks. It was around then that he found one of the most abiding loves of his life - a 1939 Chevy Pickup that he spent the next two years restoring. He also found love with his first wife, Donna Gail, and their life in the Boulder/Nederland area of Colorado.
In the late 70s, their relationship became strained and Ralph returned to Michigan after they agreed to a divorce. Shortly after this, Ralph took an opportunity to work and live in the Netherlands with extended family, and also travelled Europe by rail and foot for the better part of a year. Returning stateside, he found himself south of Grand Rapids again, and opened a bait shop in Caledonia, MI. He met and married Beth Joyce, and created a home with her in his family's cabin on Barlow Lake for the next twenty years. Ralph and Beth had three sons born in a seven year span, raising them all on the shores of their small, leaky, cramped, but perfect house in the Midwestern seasons. Ralph worked a number of jobs during this time, though the lion's share of this season of his life was spent as the owner-operator of Ajax Distributing, a supplier for auto body and repair shops up and down greater West Michigan.
Ralph and Beth's marriage did end in the early 'aughts, and after a few years remaining in the Grand Rapids area relocated himself to sunny South Florida in 2006. He found a home on Nettles Island and formalized himself as a Fairly Handy Dutchman - his handyman work that he conducted through the rest of his life. Moving around Florida in his '39 Chevy, he built connections over barstools and kitchen renovations alongside his love and life partner Joan Tatman, also of the Grand Rapids area. They made their home in the sun and sand, and even Ralph was able to make the slower pace of the Florida days a part of his own life.
Ralph was a lean, mean, problem solving machine of a man. His mind for mechanical and practical solutions was the fruit of his curiosity and never-ending appetite. He cared for those he knew needed help, would always share his mind and certainly didn't suffer any fools. He loved his family and the sound of a well-running engine, something he always had in hand no matter if the truck was parked on dirt or in its own garage. Raise a nice glass of tequila in his honor the next time you're at a table with those you love the most.
Ralph was preceded in death by his siblings Anne and Dick, but survived by his partner Joan L. Tatman, Sisters Carol Beukema and Martha Blocksma, Sons Douglas, Matthew and Jonathan, and Grandchildren Payton, Anneka, Hazel and Miles. A celebration of life will be held with friends and family in August on Barlow Lake, where he made his childhood and family years. In lieu of flowers, please make a point to tell your loved ones how and why they are so special to you just as Ralph did in his final years. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ralph, please visit our Tree Store.