Ralph Ewing never wore a Fort Dodge wrestling singlet, but his indirect influence on the program will always be immeasurable and is certainly worth pausing to note in light of his recent passing.

Ewing died at Friendship Haven on May 21 at the age of 94.

In the local wrestling world, the name “Ewing” became royalty once Ralph’s sons arrived on the scene. Dave Ewing was a two-time state runner-up who helped Fort Dodge to the 1980 championship — the school’s first in 39 years. Five seasons later, younger brother Randy Ewing captured an individual title as the Dodgers again struck gold as a team.

All five of Ralph’s sons – Dan, Dave, Don, Ron and Randy – competed on the mat for FDSH during a decade of Dodger dominance from 1976 through 1985. Dave, who became an All-American at Iowa State, is in the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. Dave and Randy were both Cyclone wrestlers collegiately. Dave and Ron had long coaching tenures in the high school ranks.

Ralph Ewing grew up in Duncombe and attended school in Lehigh. He stayed home to help on the family farm rather than going to high school, then enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17. He served from 1949-52, during the Korean War.

Ralph married Millie Church in 1955. Millie’s brothers, David Church and Dick Black, were also state wrestling champions for FDSH and both are in the Dodger Athletic Hall of Fame, alongside both Dave and Randy Ewing.

“What I remember most about dad is that he always put family first,” Dave said. “He was a very hard-working man with a great work ethic. My dad was usually working two jobs to help to support the family and make sure we had what we needed.

“He had a quiet confidence that I always admired. He was a compassionate man…even if he didn’t speak it much, he showed it through his actions and his great listening skills.”

Ralph was a railroad conductor for over three decades, retiring in 1994. Trinity United Methodist in Fort Dodge was a faithful church home through the years.

Dave vividly remembers his time growing up and the simple moments that turned into lifelong treasures.

“One of my fondest memories of my dad was when he would take us fishing to the little dam on the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge,” Dave said. “He would go buy chicken livers at Safeway and we would fish for catfish all day long. He would watch and wait for us, then take us home at the end of the day and do a fish fry.”

When Dave graduated from FDSH, he was on the fence about continuing his education. Despite not having much first-hand experience in that arena, Ralph encouraged his son to keep going. Dave never looked back.

“He changed my life with one piece of advice,” Dave said. “I was pondering dropping out of school after (first attending) the University of Northern Iowa to be a student and a wrestler. I was going to quit (altogether). He suggested that I go out to Iowa Central and talk to (Triton head wrestling coach) Dennie Freidrichs. I took his advice and became a student and a wrestler again at Iowa Central.

“I was then recruited by Harold Nichols at Iowa State, where I earned All-American honors my senior year and placed third in the country. His advice helped me to become the person I am today: a teacher and a wrestling coach for 30 years. And I have continued on that path after retirement, staying very close to the wrestling community and giving back by volunteering on committees and start-up programs.”

For all of the family’s accomplishments – especially in the wrestling world – Dave noted his dad’s caring personality was his crowning achievement.

“I will greatly miss our phone conversations,” Dave said. “He always wanted to know what’s going on with me and my family, including my siblings and their families. Dad was kind, considerate, fair, stern, honest, caring, hard-working and determined. Probably the most valuable lesson that I learned from him was to never give up, (show) determination and (have a) will to win. Even if you change your path, never give up.

“We will miss him.”

We continue to slowly say goodbye to the pillars of our area. Ralph Ewing will be remembered not just for the example he set and the standard he established, but for the investments he made in his family, his friends, his faith and his community – all with fierce loyalty.

Deep roots. Firm base. Wide branches. These days, we could certainly use a few more trees like this in a world often missing both protection and dependability.

Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. Contact him via email at sports@messengernews.net, or on Twitter @ByEricPratt