Ralph Mendelson

1930 - 2025

Ralph Mendelson
07/13/1930 - 08/01/2025
Ralph Mendelson was always generous with his family, countless friends, and business associates, and graciously served as a mentor to many who sought his input and sound advice. He was inherently smart, creative, funny, witty and had a lifelong regard for higher learning and always strived to know more. He believed in, and had an appreciation, of the power of culture on society and spent many years supporting cultural institutions. He was never shy about sharing an opinion solicited, or unsolicited, but whether it was serious or funny it always came from a place of caring and usually made you smile.
Ralph was born in Oakland, California to Tillie Cohen and Ira Mendelson. The youngest of four boys, he spent much of his early childhood exploring San Francisco neighborhoods and parks and engaging in sports with his brothers. He attended Lowell High School before receiving a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota and a JD at Yale Law School in 1955. Three days after taking the California Bar Exam, Ralph began a military career that would take him from Fort Ord, California to Alaska.
Returning to San Francisco, Ralph became clerk to Chief Judge Albert Lee Stephens on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Two years later, he went into private practice in the East Bay and was a partner in several firms, the last of which was Mendelson & Brown. In 1984, Ralph attended the London School of Economics where he received a Master of Law. Throughout his career, Ralph specialized in construction and banking law, becoming director and counsel for California Bancshares. When it was acquired by US Bank in 1996, Ralph left the bank but continued to serve as a commercial law arbitrator until December 1998, when he inactivated his membership in the State Bar of California.
With a profound interest in the arts and the well-being of others, Ralph donated his time to several organizations, including as a founding director for Berkeley's Cal Performances, and president and founding director of Music in the Vineyards in Napa Valley. He was a director of the Alameda Boys and Girls Club for 35 years and was also president and director of the Alameda Boys Club Foundation for many more years.
Inspired by his study abroad in Peru while in college, Ralph established the Mendelson Scholarships at the Global Studies program at the University of Minnesota. He also supported a program that provided computers and technology to a girls' school in Ethiopia.
In 1988, married Melinda Robinson and they moved to Oakville, California. There, they farmed Pedregal Vineyards, a small hillside property that featured Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes and an olive grove.
In 2014, Ralph and Melinda sold Pedregal, eventually moving to the East Bay where they could more easily enjoy the Bay Area's cultural event offerings.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Melinda, and his sons, David Mendelson and Skip Mendelson, three grandchildren, Mackensie Mendelson (James Bozanich), Allie Rae (Chas Wall) and Riley Mendelson, and his great-granddaughter Rowe Wall. He was stepfather to Harold Robinson (Melissa), Tod Robinson (Janike), and Laura Burleigh (Craig) and step grandfather to their collective six children. His large family served as an audience for his oft-repeated stories that never failed to provoke laughter. His wit, his stories, and his big heart will be missed by all.
A private service will be held for family later this year. In lieu of flowers, or to honor Ralph's memory, please consider a contribution to the Alameda Boys and Girls Club, Earth Justice, or Music in the Vineyards.