Ralph Davies Munro

Former Secretary of State Ralph Munro Dies

Ralph Munro

Ralph Munro, Washington’s longtime Secretary of State and beloved humanitarian, died March 20^th, 2025 at 81.

Munro first entered public life in 1970, as an aide to Governor Daniel J. Evans. Simply put, it was Ralph’s job to find hard working volunteers and help them succeed. He became a life-long champion for the rights of disabled citizens, as well as historical preservation, environmental and cultural causes. Gov. Evans famously said, “Ralph is the one who taught me to care.” Indeed, Ralph’s greatest legacy is that he led with his heart and taught so many of us to care. He lived with the paramount goal of making Washington State a better place for our children than it was for us. And he succeeded.

Ralph Davies Munro was born June 25^th, 1943, the third son of George Munro and Betty (Troll) Munro of Bainbridge Island. His father was an electrician at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard and his mother a kindergarten and first grade teacher. He was raised at the center of a close-knit, extended family and community. His childhood was filled with boating, fishing, throwing rocks on the beach, playing with close friends and cousins, wonderful schools and a little hard work. He mowed lawns for neighbors, sold newspapers at the Point White Ferry Dock, and barbequed salmon for Sunset Lodge at Fort Ward. He attended Commodore Elementary School and Bainbridge High School where he was senior class president and a proud member of the epic class of ’61 (Go Spartans!).

Ralph went on to Western Washington College (now University). However, his college career was cut short in his freshman year when a few beers and high jinks landed him (literally) in the lap of the Dean of Education. He was suspended and sent home to gain perspective.

In 1962, Seattle was ramping up for the World’s Fair – the Century 21 Exposition. Munro was soon hired to cook and help manage the Tee Pee Salmon BBQ on Show Street. The little restaurant sat right across from Gracie Hansen’s burlesque show and Les Poupees de Paris – the naughty puppet show. Years later Ralph lamented, “It’s hard to find pictures of our restaurant. We were surrounded by shows with bare breasted women. The photographers walked right past us.” The Fair was coming to a close when Ralph’s mother passed away unexpectedly on the eve of the infamous Columbus Day storm. She was 53.

Ralph returned to college with somber perspective. He worked as caretaker at Lakewood Properties on Lake Whatcom, tended bar at numerous Bellingham taverns, and dispatched snowplows for Washington State DOT. He was also active with the Young Republicans Club and served as president of the Associated Student Body. He graduated from Western in ‘66 with a degree in Education and Political Science.

After college, he went to work at the Boeing Company’s Renton Plant where he trained to become an industrial engineer. Designated 4-F by the Army because of an existing heart murmur, Munro was barred from serving in Vietnam. He decided to serve his country by volunteering with disabled children and he became a regular at Fircrest School. From there he quickly became one of the state’s leading advocates for the rights of disabled citizens – and that work brought him under the wing of Gov. Evans.

In 1970, Evans appointed Munro as the State’s first volunteer coordinator. Then in ’72 he became special assistant to the governor on education and social services. In those positions, he became an advocate and champion for countless emerging causes and projects – and he is often credited with their success. Ralph was quick to say, “It wasn’t my project. I didn’t do the work. There were tons of hardworking volunteers who made it happen.” But he could push the right buttons, make critical connections, and almost effortlessly propel nascent efforts to great heights. A few highlights under Gov. Evans include:

· Fighting for measures to improve life for the state’s disabled residents, including an “education for all” bill in the mid-1970s that paved the way for disabled students to attend public classrooms long before federal legislation did the same.

· Coordinating the state’s efforts to eliminate architectural barriers for people in wheelchairs. Spearheading legislation requiring curb cuts, wider doors, wheelchair ramps and similar measures as a statewide mandate.

· Advocating for and facilitating the establishment of the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area Preserve – the first nature preserve in the state.

· Spearheading Washington’s efforts to welcome and resettle refugees following the Vietnam War – a pioneering humanitarian project that led the nation.

Ralph’s grandfather, Alexander Munro was a Scottish stone mason who came to Washington in 1890 and worked on granite cutting jobs across the Pacific Northwest. In the 1920’s he spent five years working on construction of the state’s new capitol buildings. Three quarters of a century later, his grandson was elected Secretary of State and moved into one of the finest offices in Olympia.

Ralph served as Washington’s Secretary of State for five terms, from 1981 through 2001. During his tenure, he set in place numerous and diverse programs to make voting more accessible and convenient – from implementing our mail-in voting system, to publishing the first Braille voters’ pamphlet. And he established the first Address Confidentiality Program in the nation. Washington’s “Safe at Home” program allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other types of crime to receive mail through the Secretary of State’s office, while keeping their actual address undisclosed.

Secretary Munro also worked tirelessly to promote economic development, serving as the state’s goodwill ambassador to the world. On numerous occasions he travelled to Japan, Korea, China, Britain, Spain, Canada, the Russian Far East and many other countries and regions to foster partnerships here in Washington.

In retirement, Munro continued his legacy. He served on a myriad of local, national and international boards and commissions – including, but certainly not limited to, the Western Washington University Board of Trustees and the William D. Ruckelshaus Center Advisory Board.

He worked passionately with Rotary International to eradicate Polio around the world, making 12 trips to Ethiopia and East Africa to vaccinate children, provide access to clean water, and build better schools. And he advocated for Polio education and eradication up to his very last days.

He spearheaded the effort to help the students of McLane Elementary plant over 16,000 trees and countless daffodils on the McLane School Forest Trail (now the Ralph Munro Trail). The result is an incredible, biodiverse, and expanding trail system that is treasured by the community.

And he worked quietly for 6 years, at his own expense, to prepare and serve monthly meals for the homeless at the Salvation Army in Olympia.

The list of awards presented to Ralph is lengthy. A few highlights include:

· The Award of Civil Merit from King Juan Carlos of Spain – the highest award given to non-Spanish citizens. Presented in Madrid, Spain.

· The Medal of Friendship awarded by President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation – the seventh American to receive this award.

· Warren G. Magnuson Award for Outstanding Public Service.

· Margaret Chase Smith Award for American Democracy (Former Governor Dan Evans and Ralph Munro both received this award for their work leading the nation in resettling refugees following the Vietnam War).

Above all else, Ralph was devoted to his family. The extended Munro and Troll families were paramount in his life. And celebrating family history was one of his greatest pursuits – often while wearing a kilt.

He married Karen Lee Hanson in 1973 and they raised their son George on beautiful Triple Creek Farm in Olympia. Together, they worked on a litany of campaigns, projects and causes. In 1976 they gained national attention while leading the drive to ban the capture of Orca whales in Puget Sound. Those efforts “lit the fuse” that ended commercial whale captures in United States waters. They also worked to initiate and facilitate an amazing archeological dig on Triple Creek Farm in partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe and South Puget Sound Community College. Many of the artifacts uncovered are on display at the Squaxin Island Tribal Museum. Karen and Ralph divorced in 2012.

In 2021 Ralph discovered a long-lost daughter, and beautiful Christi Stoll joined the Munro family.

Ralph was gifted with the ability to see the God given beauty and potential in every person he came across. He never met a stranger or an outcast, and he held each of his friends very close to his huge heart. He had an exceptional ability to connect with people from all walks of life, corners of the world, and human circumstances – and his overriding mission was to improve their lives. His smile was infectious, and a few warm words in his rich, booming voice would uplift friends and complete strangers alike. Everyone smiled when Ralph was in the room. He had no enemies, political or otherwise. And to his very last day, he strove to make Washington State a better place for our children than it was for us.

Ralph was preceded in death by his brother, Ron Munro of Woodinville, WA. He is survived by his son George (Laura) of Crofton, MD; his daughter Christi (Jim) Stoll of Dent, MN; brother David (Sue) Munro of Vancouver, WA; sister-in-law Miriam Munro; his cherished Munro, Stoll and Bunn grandchildren; and numerous dearly loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 28 at 2 p.m. at the Washington State Capitol Building.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to one of following:

Rotary International, in partnership with the Global Polio Initiative. Together, we end polio. Donations may be made at: https://my.rotary.org/en/polioplus-fund

The Friends of Lime Kiln Society (FOLKS). Lime Kiln Point State Park serves as an essential site for public education and the promotion of conservation efforts for the Southern Resident Killer Whales, and FOLKS is critical to its ongoing mission. Donations may to made at: https://folkssji.org/donate/

Western Washington University’s Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education. To donate, please visit the link below, click on the “I’d like to search for a different option” button, search for Munro, and click the option for Munro Seminar. https://alumniq.wwu.edu/giving/make-a-gift

If Ralph made a difference in your life, please honor him by paying it forward.

Ralph and Grandson John Munro – 2022

Professional Summary

Accomplishments:

Fighting for measures to improve life for the state’s disabled residents, including an “education for all” bill in the mid-1970s that paved the way for disabled students to attend public classrooms long before federal legislation did the same.
Coordinating the state’s efforts to eliminate architectural barriers for people in wheelchairs. Spearheading legislation requiring curb cuts, wider doors, wheelchair ramps, etc. as a statewide mandate.
A long-time, dedicated volunteer at Fircrest School working with Terry Sullivan and other developmentally disabled children. Legal guardian for Terry for forty years.
Working tirelessly to preserve Washington’s historic landmarks, such as the Walla Walla site of the state’s 1878 constitutional convention, the steamship Virginia V, and much more.
Championed the establishment of a sanctuary on the Skagit River for Bald Eagles – the first wildlife preserve in the state (1975).
Working with Edna Breazeale (Dan Evan’s high school English teacher) and her family to establish a nature preserve on Padilla Bay – the precursor to the Pidalla Bay National Estuarian Research Center and Preserve.
Spearheading numerous wildlife-protection efforts. In 1976 he gained national attention when he led a drive to ban the capture of orca whales in Puget Sound. His efforts “lit the fuse” that ended commercial whale captures in United States waters.
Helping to launch the “Free Lolita!” Campaign (1995).
Honoring and assisting military and veterans’ groups.
Tirelessly working with Rotary International to eradicate Polio around the world, including 12 trips to Ethiopia and East Africa to vaccinate children, provide access to clean water, and build better schools. And passionately advocating for Polio eradication and education up through his very last days.
Initiating and facilitating an amazing archeological dig on Triple Creek Farm in partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe and South Puget Sound Community College. Many of the artifacts uncovered are on display at the Squaxin Island Tribal Museum.
Helping to found the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education at Western Washington University – dedicated to promoting civic literacy within secondary education and the public at large.

Working tirelessly for over 20 years to help the students of McLane Elementary plant over 16,000 trees and countless daffodils on the McLane School Forest Trail (now the Ralph Munro Trail). The result is an incredible, biodiverse, and expanding trail system that is treasured by the community.
Working quietly for 6 years, at his own expense, to prepare and serve monthly meals for the homeless at the Salvation Army in Olympia.
Helping to found a new interpretive center at Lime Kiln Point State Park in the San Juan Islands, complete with wheelchair accessible whale viewing platform (2006).
Facilitating the planting of thousands of very special Coastal Redwood Trees (genetically identical to Champion trees harvested over 100 years ago) in Western Washington in partnership with Archangel Ancient Tree Archives.
Hosting the TVW series “My Favorite Places,” which explores the unique places, beauty and history of Washington. https://tvw.org/shows/my-favorite-places/
Member of the Olympia Highlanders Bagpipe Band for over fifty years.
Together with his brothers Ronald Munro and David Munro, Ralph established the George & Betty Munro Scholarship Fund (administered through the Bainbridge Community Foundation). Since 2000 this annual scholarship has supported college bound Bainbridge High School graduates interested in studying elementary education.

And as Secretary of State:

Protecting victims of domestic violence by establishing the first Address Confidentiality Program. Washington’s “Safe at Home” program allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other types of crime to receive mail through the Secretary of State’s office, while keeping their actual address undisclosed. Started in Washington state, similar programs are now available in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

Establishing Mail-In Voting in Washington’s primary and general elections.
Publishing the state’s first Braille voter’s pamphlet.
Overhauling the state’s business licensing system to improve efficiency.
Working to delete the terms ‘Idiot’ and ‘Imbecile’ from the state constitution.
Creating Washington’s “motor voter law” that allows residents to register to vote when they apply for or renew their driver’s license.

Occupations:

Industrial Engineer. Boeing. 1966-1968.
Volunteer Coordinator. Washington State. 1969. Governor Dan Evans appointed Munro as the first Volunteer Coordinator of Washington State.
White House. 1970. Helped formulate the federal agency ACTION, the “Federal Domestic Volunteer Agency”.
Special Assistant. Washington State. 1972-1976. Special Assistant on education and social-service issues, enlisted by Governor Dan Evans.

Offices:

Secretary of State. Republican, Washington. 1981 – 2001. 20 years.
Western Washington University Board of Trustees. 10/01/2009 – 09/30/2015. Appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire.

Awards:

Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon – awarded by the Government of Japan (2022). This Imperial Decoration is the highest honor the Government of Japan gives to those who contributed exceptional service for the betterment of the relationship between Japan and the United States of America.

South Sound Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Thurston – Distinguished Leader of the Year Award(2022).
Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Gratitude. Awarded by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recognition of Ralph’s contributions to deepening understanding and strengthening ties between and United States and Japan (2015).
Association of Washington Business C. David Gordon Award for Outstanding Civic Achievement (2008).
Recipient of the Award of Civil Merit from King Juan Carlos of Spain – the highest award given to non-Spanish citizens. Presented in Madrid, Spain.

Awarded the Medal of Friendship by President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation – the seventh American to receive this award. Presented in front of a Joint Session of the Washington State Legislature hosted by Governor Gary Locke and Lt. Governor Joel Pritchard.

Warren G. Magnuson Award for Outstanding Public Service.
Salvation Army Citizen of the Year Award.

United States Navy Meritorious Public Service Award (2014).

Rotary International Board of Directors Service Above Self Award (2006).

Puget Sound Energy Pioneer Award (2008).

Seattle Biomedical Research Institute Advancing Global Health Award (2006).

World Citizen Award – Seattle World Affairs Council (1998).

Margaret Chase Smith Award for American Democracy (2018) from the National Association of Secretaries of State. Former Governor Dan Evans and Ralph both received this award for their work leading the nation in resettling refugees following the Vietnam War.

Executive Leadership Award – Washington State League of Women Voters.
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters – Western Washington University.

Affiliations:

Advisory Board Member, the William D. Ruckelshaus Center.
Co-Chairman, Washington State Centennial Committee, 1989.
Co-Founder, Orca Conservancy, 1996.
Past Director, Action for Retarded Children.
Founder, Bald Eagle Preserve on Skagit River.
Member – Advisory Committee on Volunteer Programs.
Director/Trustee for numerous corporate and non-profit organizations, including Prepared Response, Thurston First Bank of Puget Sound, Panorama Retirement Center, Squaxin Island Tribal Museum and HistoryLink.
Past President, Seattle Rotary Club #4, the world’s largest Rotary Club.
President, National Association of Secretaries of State, 1990-1991.

Links:

Sources:

The Legacy Project, Office of the Secretary of State: “History Makers Details on Ralph Munro”
The Seattle Times, December 29, 2000: “Ralph Munro leaving a career carved in stone”;
Governor’s news release, September 25, 2009: “Gov. Gregoire appoints Ralph Munro to WWU board of trustees”;
Puget Sound Business Journal, May 9, 2008: “Mud Bay archeological site has profound lessons for Ralph and Karen Munro”
Puget Sound Energy, press release June 3, 2008: “PSE recognizes Karen and Ralph Munro with 2008 Pioneer Award”
“Sound Champion and Steward: Ralph Munro;” We Are Puget Sound; September 17, 2020; https://www.wearepugetsound.org/blog/sound-champion-and-steward-ralph-munro.