Ralph Hartwell

Ralph Melton Hartwell, 85, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away June 19, 2017, at his home. He was under the care of his family, Cloudnine, and Hospice of Eastern Idaho.

Ralph was born August 19, 1931, in Albion, Idaho, to Frank Hartwell and Lillian Melton Hartwell. His early years were spent on the family ranch in Mud Lake, Idaho, where Ralph helped his father with the cattle on his favorite horse, "Donuts." His mother was an elementary school teacher and Ralph's education started early. He bravely helped his mother carry desks and books out of the one-room school house in Lost River when it caught fire. They escaped with the last load just as the roof collapsed.

The family moved to Idaho Falls and Ralph attend Idaho Falls High School, where according to his sister, Faye, "…he cut quite a wide swath with the ladies." After high school Ralph ventured to Chicago to attend Northwestern University. After one year, he decided that he really was an Idaho boy and transferred to the University of Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. He formed life-long friendships as a member of the Gamma Gamma Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Ralph's studies were focused on the sciences with his goal in the medical field. He often told the story of how distraught he became when a college aptitude test suggested a career in insurance or real estate sales. His childhood vision was of an insurance salesman in "blue suede shoes" trying to sell policies to his parents, proprietors of the Minit Market on Broadway.

After graduation Ralph joined the United States Coast Guard. He attended Officers Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, and Flight School at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Ralph served as the Commanding Officer of the LORAN Station on Saipan, in the Mariana Islands; and later as Operations Officer at Port Security, Astoria, Oregon, and Commanding Officer of the Port Unit in San Francisco, California.

After traveling to all corners of the United States and islands of the North Pacific, Ralph returned to Idaho Falls. He married Jean Macklin whom he met while stationed in Astoria.

Ralph began his professional career with the Jay P. Griggs Insurance Agency as an insurance and real estate agent. He purchased the business a year later and renamed it the Ralph M. Hartwell Company. With a partner the company became Hartwell-Callan, Inc., and subsequently The Hartwell Corporation. Ralph was dedicated to professionalism and lived by the words of the Mission Statement he penned, "…Our affairs will be conducted so that we retain control of our destiny and take pride in all of our endeavors."

On January 5, 1985, he married Mary Lynn Clayton in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were uniquely suited to both work and play, together. A joint commitment to family, business and community resulted in a life full of love, laughter and accomplishment. Ralph and Mary Lynn were honored to receive the 2010 "Friend of the Foundation" award from the Idaho Community Foundation and the 2012 "Essence Award" from Breaking Boundaries. Since their retirement in 2012, they enjoyed many snow-less winters at their home in Palm Springs, California.

In addition to operating a successful insurance business with offices in Idaho Falls and Caldwell, Ralph was a founding Director and Corporate Officer of the Bank of Idaho. Governor Phil Batt appointed him to the Idaho Lottery Commission in 1995 where he served until 2005. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Idaho Community Foundation where he established the Ralph and Mary Lynn Hartwell Family Fund.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Idaho Branch of the Associated General Contractors of America and as Past President of the Idaho Falls Country Club and the Idaho Falls Symphony Society. He was a member of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Ralph held a private pilot's license and loved flying his Cessna P210. He had a love of adventure and the great outdoors. From bungee jumping off the Bitch Creek Trestle Bridge to zipping down a ski hill, snowmobiling in Island Park, water skiing at Palisades, boating on Lake Powell, motorcycling over the Lolo Pass or perfecting his golf swing, he did it all.

He was also a proud member of the "Elm Street Racing Team" which included friends Keith Ormond and Dr. A. G. Miller and involved weekly training trips to Grand Targhee Ski Resort.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn; son, Thomas William Hartwell of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Julie (David) Smart of Seattle, WA; daughter, Jonalyn (Mitch) Whetzel of Mead, WA; granddaughter, Anna Quinn Smart of Seattle, WA; sister, Faye (Frank) Bowles of Boise, ID; niece, Becky (Rhonda Mann) Bowles of Palm Springs, CA; and nephew, Jeffrey (Brenda) Bowles of Anchorage, AK.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lillian Hartwell; and a niece, Suzanne Bowles Galloway.

With deep gratitude to family and friends, the family suggests contributions in his memory to the Idaho Falls Symphony Society, 440 N Capital Ave B, Idaho Falls, ID 83402; Idaho Community Foundation Hartwell Family Fund, 210 West State St, Boise, ID 83702; or Alzheimer's Association, 6126 W State St, Suite 305, Boise, ID 83703.

A celebration of Ralph's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2017, at the Willard Arts Center, 498 'A' Street, Idaho Falls.

Celebration of Life