Ralph Bruce Rhoads

Ralph Bruce "Jompa" Rhoads, age 84, passed away on June 9, 2025, at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, WA. He was born on December 27, 1940, to Robert P. and Gladys (Berndt) Rhoads in Glendale, CA.

Ralph graduated from Sunny Side High in Sunnyside, WA. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree from Seattle Pacific College.

As a young man Ralph had many adventures as Camp Director at the Alliance Redwoods in Occidental, CA and as Administrator of the Summer Camping programs for Mt Diablo Unified School District, also in California. When summers were over, he went to work as a teacher at Valhalla Elementary School, also in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

After moving north to Bellingham, Ralph directed operations for the Mt Baker Group Home for Boys, a program he and his wife Marilyn ran out of their home.

A consummate salesman, Ralph found his true calling as owner and pitchman for Cascade Sales where he pitched and sold anything and everything. Later he ran Natures Footprint, manufacturing and selling Worm Factory composting bins. Ralph maintained a lifelong hobby of photography, developing his own photos in a home darkroom. He also ran a print shop out of his home. Both of these endeavors served his entrepreneurial interests, allowing him to produce his own sales brochures which were illustrated for those that know it all and hate to read.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, sister Alice Gibbons, and brother Robert Rhoads.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Marilyn Rhoads; children Bruce (Tee) Kroon; Holly (Cindy Garcia) Kroon; Richard (Melanie) Kroon; Dustin (Jodi Hedges) Lee; Jennifer (Ian) Whitson; Kimberly(Jeff) Schroeder; Stephen(Beth) Rhoads; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A gathering to honor and remember Ralph will be held on Sunday, September 21, 11:00am at 5594 Whitsonville Way, Bellingham, WA. Attending will be worth the price of admission. A selection of genuine imitation goods may be available. But supplies are limited.

Ralph is selling new and improved halos to the angels right now, giving them his classic line, They're nutritious - the more you buy, the more my family eats. However, sales here on earth have seen a downward trend since June of 2025. Ralph is dearly missed.