Ralph Bateman Letters

Ralph Bateman Letters, age 92, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, in St George, Utah. Born in Putnam, Connecticut, He was the son of the late Frank Halford and Tempest Virginia (Smith) Letters. Ralph was a man who loved his family and friends dearly. He grew up in Putnam, CT, and is the youngest of three children. A year after graduating High school he joined the United States Navy, where he served during the Korean Conflict from 1951 – 1955. He was stationed at Westover AirForce Base in Massachusetts where he worked as an Aviation Machinist. Ralph was very patriotic, loved his country and was proud to be able to serve in the Navy.

After leaving the Navy, he married his first wife, Catherine Powers, and had three boys. During this time, he received an associate’s degree from the University of Connecticut as a draftsman. Ralph worked in the agricultural industry, starting with HP Hood in the Dairy Farm Engineering group in Middlebury, Vermont where he worked until 1974 when he was hired by Agway as a project manager. A year later he went to work for Aerovent Fan and Equipment Company and moved to Michigan where he worked as a Regional Manager until he retired in 1997.

From the time he was baptized in 1961, Ralph was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in various callings over the years including Branch President in Rutland, Vermont, Bishop of the Battle Creek 1st Ward, and Patriarch of the Kalamazoo Michigan Stake. In July of 1981, Ralph married his eternal companion Arlene in the Washington D.C. Temple. Together they served as temple ordinance workers in the Chicago Illinois Temple for eight years.

Ralph had a love for life. He was known to many as “Skip”. He loved books of any kind although poetry was his favorite. He also loved reading comics and would laugh out loud as he did so. Some of his favorite characters were The Grinch, Calvin & Hobbs and most of all Charlie Brown. He was an avid backyard bird watcher, his favorite being the bright red cardinal. Ralph and Arlene moved to Washington, Utah in March of 2024 to live closer to family. Shortly after that, Arlene passed away.

He is preceded in death by his wife; Arlene A (Dillin) Letters, brother; Frank Gardner Letters, his sister; Grace Virginia (Letters) Marcy, nephew; Frank Gilbert Letters and his Stepson; Duane Robert Wilkey.

He is survived by his sons William Halford Letters of Whiting Vermont, Frank Gardner (Heather) Letters of St. George Utah and David Brandon Letters of Grand Rapids Michigan; Stepchildren Cynthia Marie Banks (Duane) Wilkey of Hurricane Utah, Gregory Alan (Jennifer) Banks of Newnan Georgia, and Janice Renee Banks of Salt Lake City Utah; as well as seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.