Ralph in 1958, shortly after buying Chik-Wauk
Ralph Griffis, last owner of Chik-Wauk Lodge, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2013, in Harlingen, TX. He was 87.
A native Texan, Ralph bought Chik-Wauk with his wife in 1957. After the passage of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act in 1978, Ralph and Bea sold the property to the federal government in 1980. Through a special agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, they continued to spend their summers on the Gunflint Trail in the stone lodge building until the late 1990s.
Ralph, with Bea, on the Chik-Wauk grounds in the mid 1970s.
Although Ralph and Bea never had a chance to visit Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center after it opened in their beloved lodge building in July 2010, they enthusiastically supported the project and the work of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society in every way possible. Ralph provided the GTHS with countless photographs, artifacts, and stories for the museum and he helped ensure that the lodge building received recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ralph and Bea at their 60th wedding anniversary celebration in 2009
Many museum visitors fondly remember the kindness of Ralph and Bea. Ralph is also remembered for his fishing prowess. Appropriately, Ralph’s ashes will be buried on the Chik-Wauk grounds this summer.
Ralph is survived by Bea, his wife of 64 years. Click here to view his full obituary or to sign the guestbook.
Sad to hear this news. I was 14 when we stayed at Chik Wauk for 2 weeks. This was the last year that Chik Wauk was in business…I think it was 1979. That stay had a profound positive impact on our family. My parents passed away last year and one of the things we talked about with each of them in their last days was the memories at Chik Wauk and the Boundary Waters.
A few years ago, I reached out and found Ralph and gave him a call. He was in poor health then but we talked for about a 1/2 hour. Glad I was able to tell him how much we enjoyed Chik Wauk lodge. My brother and I make periodic trips to the Boundary Waters and we were there last year.
Comment by John Moon — February 18, 2013 @ 10:52 am
Thank you!
You provided a wonderful experience for my Mom and Dad that continues today with my friends and family.
The Moon’s
Comment by Steve Moon — February 18, 2013 @ 1:46 pm