Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Underwood , Ralph J. May 25, 2005 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com May 31, 2005, 10:04 pm The Bakersfield Californian Underwood, Ralph J. Ralph J. Underwood Services: June 2, 2005, 10 a.m. Ralph J. Underwood passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2005, in the home he shared with his wife, Florence, surrounded by his family. Ralph was born in Los Angeles, but moved to Pasadena at six months of age. He was the fourth child of nine born to Aaron and Ruth Underwood. He was educated in Pasadena schools and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at age 18. He spent 18 months as a Fire Suppression truck driver and always gave the CCCs the credit for changing his lifes goals. After leaving the Cs, he went to work as an apprentice in a dental laboratory. He found he had a natural talent for that profession. He took evening college classes to increase his knowledge. In March, 1941, as a National Guard member, he was called to active duty. He served one year in the infantry and the remaining 4 years in dental clinics at station hospitals in various Army camps, and one year in Calcutta, India. He was discharged from the Army December 28, 1945. Ralph and Florence moved to Bakersfield in February of 1946. Ralph worked as a private dental technician for Dr. Meredith Hendricks for 5 years. He then opened Underwood Dental Laboratory that was later changed in name to Kern Dental Lab. He operated his lab for forty of the 50+ years he practiced his craft. He loved his work and was a perfectionist. He made the statement many times that his work was his hobby. Ralph was active in the 20-30 Club when he was younger; he was involved with local veterans groups, he was also involved with a group consisting of former CCC members. He was also an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Ralph and Florence loved RV trips with the OK Club church group, exploring the United States in their RV, taking cruises, camping at Pismo Coast Village, and spending time at their cabin in the mountains, as well as a lot of fun times with his family. Ralph provided his family with a great sense of humor, which he kept til the end. Ralph was preceded in death by his special Gran; both of his parents; his brothers, Ronnie and Raymond; his sisters, Lois, Louise, and Mary Ruth. He leaves to cherish his memory, Florence (his wife of 62 1 / 2 years); his daughters, Doris Hewes and her husband, Tim, of Keene, CA, Janet Underwood of Bakersfield; sons, Dennis Underwood and his wife, Gail, of Bakersfield, Ron Underwood and his wife, Karen, of Belmont, CA; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 3 sisters, Edith Hosteck and Jeanne Underwood of Sacramento, CA, and Joyce Rox of Los Angeles; and numerous nieces and nephews survive him. Viewing will be on Wednesday, June 1, from 4 8 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, with graveside services at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 2. A Celebration of his life will follow the graveside service at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1900 Baker Street, with a reception following in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Emmanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, a Veterans organization, or a charity of your choice. Legacy.com Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 5/31/2005. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased. http://www.legacy.com/bakersfield/LegacyHome.asp File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/underwoo7891gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb