Stoffer, Ralph 99 July 15, 1914 May 16, 2014 Ralph Erwin Stoffer, of Cedar Mill, passed away May 16, 2014, at the Maryville Nursing Home of complications following a stroke. He would have turned 100 in July. Ralph was born and raised on a farm near Bethany and lived in Beaverton and Cedar Mill most of his life. His interest in both the natural and the civilized world was boundless. As a teacher in Beaverton (Beaverton and Sunset High Schools) as well as in Reedsport and Coquille, he brought his enthusiasm for science, electronics, horticulture and Spanish to a huge number of students. He was active as a master gardener and pursued a lifelong interest in studying and cultivating bamboo, in which he was an early, local expert. Some of his fondest memories came from a round-the-world trip he made with his wife of 68 years, Lucile. She predeceased him in April 2013. He leaves behind a loving family: sisters, Edith and Lorena; sons, Fred (Shelley) and Jim; grandsons, Vincent and John; and two great-grandchildren. Ralph was given wonderful care during the last year and a half at Maryville Nursing Home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Christ United Methodist Church, 12755 N.W. Dogwood St., Portland. 

Published in The Oregonian from June 6 to June 8, 2014