Ralph Buckley Brown, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah, due to age-related complications. He leaves behind a legacy of devotion to his family, his faith, and a lifelong passion for the natural world. Known for his deeply loyal and congenial nature, Ralph brought a kind spirit to everyone he met. Though he was a cautious, private, and humble man, he was wonderfully conversational and loved sharing engaging stories and insights. A dedicated record-keeper, he kept journals throughout his life and spent countless hours compiling a detailed family history, preserving precious memories for generations to come.

Ralph was born on October 18, 1935, in Santa Monica, California, to Ralph and Helen Brown. He grew up with a deep appreciation for the outdoors, graduating from Fallbrook High School in Fallbrook, California, with the class of 1953.

As a young man, his love for the water led him to work as a beach lifeguard in both California and Florida. Following high school, Ralph honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps, with deployments that took him to California, Japan, and Korea.

A dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ralph served a full-time mission in the Eastern States Mission, sharing his faith and touching many lives. During his mission, he thoroughly enjoyed playing the part of "Alma the Younger" in the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Throughout his life, Ralph remained devoted to his faith and especially enjoyed his many teaching callings within the Church, where he could share his knowledge and testimony. He deeply appreciated his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ralph attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Abbott. In 1967 the couple was sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland California Temple.

During his years at BYU, Ralph also taught undergraduate courses. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Zoology, launching a distinguished, decades-long career dedicated to environmental stewardship.

As a passionate fish and wildlife biologist, Ralph worked for the states of Oregon and Alaska. He later served as an environmental protection specialist for the Department of Defense Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, protecting natural resources across California and Utah, until his retirement. His professional dedication mirrored his personal life, where he spent countless joyful hours hiking through nature and swimming. Following his retirement, Ralph and Barbara furthered their shared devotion to faith and family history by serving together in the Tennessee Nashville Mission, where they focused on genealogical research.

Above all his professional achievements, Ralph’s greatest joy was his family. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Helen, and his great grandchild Kenzlee Joy Mitchell. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his six children, Daniel, Mary Beth, Ruth, Rebecca (Rushton), Sarah (Gwyn), and David; his two brothers, Anthony and Michael; as well as 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

His memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the many individuals he served throughout his rich life.

A graveside service will be offered by City View Mortuary at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM.