Sponsor Statement for SB 211

In 1989, as Senate Bill 37 was moving through the Alaska State House of Representatives, an amendment was added designating the bridge to be built across the Tongass Narrows at Ketchikan as the Gravina Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.

This amendment was offered at the suggestion of Ralph M. Bartholomew, a life-long resident of Ketchikan, a noted civic leader and a veteran of World War II. Ralph was also the leading proponent of the construction of a bridge connecting Ketchikan with its airport.

Ralph Bartholomew passed away last fall at age 74, without seeing his dream of a bridge become reality. It is only appropriate that the bridge be named for its greatest supporter and become known as the Ralph M. Bartholomew Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.

Ralph was born in Ketchikan in 1923 and graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1941. That fall his studies at the University of Texas were interrupted by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He tried to enlist in the Army Air Corps, but needed parental consent. He returned to Ketchikan to enlist and spent nearly three of the next four years in the Aleutians.

In 1946 he joined his father in the family business and remained with Ireland Transfer until its sale in 1996. He was elected chief of the Ketchikan Volunteer Fire Department in 1958 and served for six years. It was during that period that disastrous arson fires plagued downtown Ketchikan, changing the face of the community. Working with city police and the State Fire Marshall, Bartholomew was able to bring the fire bug to justice in 1961.

Ralph served on the school board and planning commission and then on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly. He was elected Borough mayor in 1990.

Ralph Bartholomew served in almost every volunteer organization in his community and as president of the Eleventh Air Force Association.

For more than the last decade he championed the construction of a bridge to Gravina Island, linking the community with its airport. His advocacy inspired many in his community and the bridge project comes closer to reality with time. When it is completed, the span should serve as the legacy of a true community leader and be named in his honor and the honor of all veterans.