Ralph D. Broten

Ralph D. Broten
Retired DPS teacher, Aug. 20, 1930 – Aug. 20, 2008, accidental death at his home in Denver. Preceded in death by his parents and his brother Paul Broten. Survived by brother James C. Broten, MN, nephew James R. Broten, NY, nieces Karen Sieburgh, MD, Martha Crawmer, OH, and Rebecca White, MN. A gathering in his memory will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home West Chapel on Thursday, Sept. 18th at 7 PM. Inurnment of his cremains will be in Minneapolis, MN at a later date.

Ralph was born and grew up in Minneapolis. He graduated from Washburn High School and the University of Minnesota. After graduation from the University, he spent a period "ski bumming" at Sun Valley, ID, and then enlisted in a cadet program in the USAF. Most of his service hitch he spent as an instructor in navigation.

After his discharge from the USAF, he returned to the University of Minnesota and pursued studies to qualify as a teacher. He started his teaching career in Denver at Rishel in 1959, and spent many years at Abraham Lincoln High School.

During his teaching years, Ralph was involved in Boys' State and Outward Bound. Ralph was active politically and after retirement served as an election judge. He also supported environmental conservation and "green" living, as well as the peace movement.