Ralph Falconer

1932 - 2025

Ralph David Falconer, son of Jesse and Ferne Falconer died November 9, 2025.



Ralph was born June 21, 1932 in a house attached to the cheese factory in Custer Township, Mason County, Michigan (near Scottville, MI) where his father was Cheesemaker. At the age of 5, the family moved to Clare, Michigan where his father was the cheese factory Manager. Ralph attended grades K-4 in Clare. The family returned to Scottville in 1942, where Ralph attended grades 5-12 and graduated from Scottville High School (now Mason County Central) in 1950.



After two years at Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University, MTU), one year at Colorado School of Mines and three years in the U.S. Army, Ralph returned to MTU in January 1957 after a four- and one-half year absence and resumed his studies for a Geological Engineering Degree. Shortly after the term started, he went to the office of the Assistant Dean of Students to see if any jobs were available. The secretary said that no jobs were available,but Ralph asked the secretary, Mary Ann Miller to go to the Memorial Union Building for a cup of coffee. While getting acquainted over coffee, both Ralph and Mary realized that there was a strong attraction, both moral and physical between them. They married a year and a half later. Mary later wrote, "Ralph came into the office looking for a job and left with a wife!"



Ralph received a B.S. Degree in Geological Engineering in June 1958 and remained at MTU for graduate studies in Geophysics.



Ralph and Mary Ann Miller (from Houghton, Michigan) married July 19, 1958. After Ralph's graduate year studies in Geophysics, they set off on a career which turned out to involve living in eight different states (two of them twice) and three Canadian Provinces. Four children were born to Ralph and Mary, three in Canada and one in the U.S. This nomadic lifestyle gave them the opportunity to experience many different areas and become successful adults. Mary and Ralph enjoyed over 61 loving and interesting years together until Mary died on April 24, 2020.



In his 36 years as a geophysicist, Ralph planned, executed, and interpreted geophysical surveys, mostly in mineral exploration projects for mining and contracting companies as well as the U.S. Government. One project resulted in the discovery of an economical copper/zinc deposit which was developed as the Fox Lake Mine in Manitoba. During his professional career, he was a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, a Professional Engineer in Ontario, and a registered Geophysicist in California. In 1995 he retired as a Senior Scientist at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho where he continued to live.



Additionally, Ralph served 15 years as a volunteer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, obtained a private pilot's license, was a certified scuba diver, was a patron member of the National Rifle Association, and loved to ski. He was proud that all of his children became competent skiers.



Ralph is survived by four children: Joan (Brad) Humphrey, Ann (Rob) Hanson, Steve (Andie) Falconer, Lynda (Shannon)Eickstaedt, seven grandkids, four great grandkids, sisters and brothers in law Joan Fuller, Dorothy (Bill) Steenland, Jack (Donna) Miller, Jim (Kathy) Miller, Joe (Linda) Miller, Mike (Kelly) Miller, and many nieces, nephews and friends.



Ralph will join his wife, Mary for eternity in the Miller Family Plot, Forest Hill Cemetery, Houghton, Michigan.