Born 1883 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – one of three siblings. He has an older brother named Derrick, and a younger sister Clara. Derrick is a doctor, Clara is a lawyer. Ralph ended up heading to Boston to study for several years, then returned to Milwaukee where he became a Professor of Archaeology at the University of Wisconsin, a well-established and respected school.

Ralph was involved over the years in extensive archaeological digs, both of a paleontology and archaeological nature. Spent a few years in the Middle East, where he acquired a working ability in Classic and Modern Arabic. Quite well supported. Respected member of the Geological Society of America.