Ralph H. Bich, age 90, of Cavour, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. His funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 14, 2022 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Huron with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Visitation, with the family present, will be from 3-5 PM on Sunday afternoon at Welter Funeral Home; or one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. A prayer service and time of sharing will begin at 5 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.

The funeral service will be live-streamed thru the Mt. Calvary Church website, https://www.mtcalvaryhuron.org/livestream

Ralph Herman Bich was born on November 25, 1931 in Cavour, South Dakota to parents Herman and Frieda (Boetel) Bich. Ralph grew up on the family farm near Yale and graduated from Yale High School. After high school, Ralph farmed and worked at Armour's Packing Plant before joining the United States Army in 1953. Ralph served in Panama and was honorably discharged in the fall of 1955. Ralph married Joan Stahl on September 26, 1952 in Yale. To this union, seven children were born.

After his discharge, Ralph started working at Reese Elevator for a short time before becoming the manager of the Cavour Elevator for 35 years. He also worked for the Ostlund Chemical Company. He then worked for his nephew, Greg Bich on his farm north of Cavour.

In his spare time, Ralph enjoyed woodworking, pheasant hunting, gardening and fishing. He loved to watch baseball and basketball especially the NY Yankees and LA Lakers. He also enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren play sports. Family time was very important to Ralph and he enjoyed the annual Father's Day camping trip at West Bend with his family every year. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.

In his spare time, Ralph enjoyed woodworking, pheasant hunting, gardening and fishing. He loved to watch baseball and basketball especially the NY Yankees and LA Lakers.  After years of listening and watching the NY Yankees on the radio and TV dad was finally able to travel to New York city and go to a Yankee game in 2007.    The Yankees won the game and he enjoyed visiting the Yankee Museum in Centerfield.  He also enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren play sports. Family time was very important to Ralph and he enjoyed the annual Father's Day camping trip at West Bend with his family every year. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.

He loved South Dakota State Fair in Huron, going through every barn and looking at every new piece of farm equipment with all of us in tow with the anticipation that we would get to go on a midway ride after.  Mom would pack a picnic lunch to take along.  Years later mom and dad were part of the maintenance crew setting up for grandstand entertainment.

He loved all trains; new, old, freight, or passenger didn't matter what kind.   For their 50 ^th wedding anniversary we gave them an Amtrak train trip that went from James Town North Dakota traveling west visiting various states culminating in California where they visited his sister Dorothy's family in Sacramento.

Dad was an excellent athlete.  He lettered in several sports: baseball, basketball and track.  He played baseball for several years after High School winning the 1960 State Amateur Championship with the Huron Indians.   That team also included his brothers Lyman and Howie.  Dad was later inducted into South Dakota Baseball Hall of fame in Lake Nordon.  Dad and Lyman later coached their son's baseball teams.

Dad also loved Dirt track racing going to races almost every weekend during the summer months.

He is survived by his wife, Joan of Cavour; his children, Marlett (Robert) Snoozy of Mitchell, Mike (Lisa) Bich of Huron, Marcia (Gene) Miller of Huron, Myra (Steve) Kennedy of Mitchell, Doug (Janice) Bich of Cavour, Keith (Diane) Bich of Dallas, TX, and Debbie (Joe) Snyder of Huron; 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; his siblings Lyman (Phyllis) Bich of Cavour, Lorene Hornig of Rapid City, Dorothy (George) Niesl of Sacramento, CA, and Howard (Arlene) Bich of Sioux Falls; brothers-in-law Sam Wedel and Tim (Click) Stahl; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman & Frieda; his sister, Lois; & brother-in-law Juraine Hornig.

Grandchildren: Nicole (Kyle) Gerber, Jonathan (Ashleigh) Snoozy, Lacey Bich, Rachelle (Brian) Pietz, Cassandra Aguayo, Matthew (Laura) Miller, Miranda (Casey) TerWee, Jeremy (Amy) Kennedy, Jayme (Denver Rader) Gill, Jessyca (Chad) Conaway, Jordan (Ali) Kennedy, Andrea (Adam) Brueggeman, Alex (Gina) Bich, Cody (Macey) Bich, Brandon (Gina Cruz) Bich, Kerstin (Josh) Hinojoza, Joshua Snyder, Mikayla Snyder.

Great-Grandchildren: Jeremiah, Jace, Colby & Lane Gerber, Baby on-the-way Snoozy; Angel & Allen Schild, Alexis & Haley Brandt, Jasmin Pietz, Alazaia Wells, Izabella Big Eagle, Beckett & Kyra Miller, Asher TerWee, Emilie (Nathan) Byrd, Ashton, Derrek, & Kaylyn Kennedy, Morgan & Shaylee Kollman, Jackson & Dexter Gill, Peyton & Kreedence Rader, Mia & Liam Conaway, Paxton Kennedy, Wesyn, Kymber & Gatlun Brueggeman, Elliot & Barron Bich, Ellianna Blocker, Korra Cruz.

Great-Great Grandchildren: Braylie, Westan & Baby on-the-way Byrd, Tenley Mastrud.