Energetic community leader and reliable friend will be missed in the Valley

Sharon Menvielle says the 15 months following her husband Ralph’s brain cancer diagnosis in January 2017 was time she’ll always cherish.

“The last year we spent together as tough as it was, was the best year that we ever spent together,” she said. “Every morning when we woke up was like falling in love with him again every time.”

Perhaps her most lasting memory of Menvielle her 39-year marriage to Ralph came on

April 19, when the local businessman and former IID board director passed away at the age of 68. Before his final seizure, he blew her a kiss. “That’s something that I will treasure forever and ever,” she said.

Among those who had known him, Ralph Menvielle was a loyal friend, a detail-oriented businessman and a proud father with a unique ability to engage in conversation with anybody.

Ralph along his brothers, John Pierre and Robert, were raised in a family farm northeast of Calexico. Farming led him on the path to becoming a well-known businessman and community leader.

He graduated from Calexico High School in 1968, Imperial Valley College in 1970 and earned his degree in agriculture business from Cal Poly, Pomona in 1973. He began working at the Ted Miller Hay Company a year later and 10 years later began his own business, Menvielle Hay Company.

Ralph’s love and interest in agriculture went far beyond his family farm and own business.

He was part of the Imperial County Farm Bureau, serving as president in 1984. He also served two terms for the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors from 1991 to 1998.

Robert Menvielle said Ralph was well known for being a tough negotiator and a perfectionist when it came to his business. He also recalled his brother as someone who loved conversations and sharing his own perspective.

The Menvielle family’s interest in local issues presented ample opportunities for this side of Ralph to shine.

“We both enjoyed sharing political ideas and we both had an interest in IID issues and other things affecting the Imperial Valley,” said John Pierre who would later also serve on the IID board.

Though John Pierre and Robert said often they disagreed over some issues they always appreciated Ralph’s point of view.

“He always had a different perspective than anybody else,” Robert said. “It’s always good to have someone with a different opinion and perspective. It wasn’t easy, but we’re going to miss that.”

Above and beyond the success he had in business, among friends and family, Ralph Menvielle will be remembered for always being there to help.

Michael Rood, who knew Ralph since they were small children, said Ralph was always there when Rood needed someone to talk to. Their friendship endured throughout the years as Ralph was the best man for his friend’s wedding.

“He was really true to his word and a very dependable friend. I’ve always had a lot of respect for him and always will,” Rood said.

Sharon Menvielle who called Ralph “my sweet baby” said her late husband was a proud father and a generous man with a servant’s heart.

Another of her most treasured memories of her husband was the occasion of the birth of their third son, and they couldn’t get to the hospital in time. Ralph himself delivered the baby, while their two other sons were in the back seat of the car.

Sharon said the one thing Ralph wanted for their three children Josh, John Clifford and Jordan, was for them to have a good education and to attend a good college. They all did, making Ralph very proud.

Ralph was also very involved in church, after his two terms at the IID, he began to work with local business people to build the Calvary Chapel of El Centro by helping with the purchase of the land and monitoring finances. The chapel was opened in 2006.

That same church he helped build will now host his services on May 12 at 10 a.m.

During the April 24 IID board meeting, the board observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of Ralph. Division 5 Director Norma Sierra Galindo, who was a childhood friend, made the announcement of his passing.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the death of a dear friend of mine,” Galindo said. “Ralph and I were childhood friends and almost relatives, as we considered … our bond as friends was impenetrable, and I shall miss him very much.”

John Pierre said his brother put a brave fight over the past 15 months and fought cancer as best as he could. He emphasized he was lucky to have Ralph as a brother.

“Ralph was always energetic and had his own way of doing things. He had a good life here in the Valley doing what he wanted to do. It’s sad he’s gone. He will be missed,” he said.