Ralph Eugene Riddle, Sr. was born on March 25, 1927 in Lansing, Michigan.  He was the first of five sons born to Raymond Penilton Riddle, Sr. and Olga Lewis Riddle.   Ralph was raised on Ohio Street on the north side of Lansing and attended High Street Elementary School, Pattengill Junior High and was a graduate of Lansing Eastern High School.  At 6'6" tall he was an avid basketball player often referred to as "Octopus" and "Legs Riddle." While at Michigan State University, he solidified his relationship with the love of his life and married Vivian Byrd Riddle, his wife of 22 years.  She became an outstanding teacher at Pattengill and Everett High School and predeceased him (due to breast cancer) at the age of 43. She was honored posthumously in 1976 by the Lansing School District for her excellence as an Educator and her contributions as a community activist with the establishment of a street and elementary school in her name.

Ralph was a sports enthusiast with a passion for almost any individual or team sport - most of which he enjoyed with his wife.  He/they excelled in golf, tennis, ice-skating, snow-skiing, bowling, ping-pong and pool while earning numerous trophies from Capital City Golfers tournaments and other sporting events. Ralph made frequent headlines as a premier pitcher in Lansing's Fast-Pitch Softball City League, garnering many honors and accolades including at least two no-hitters. Ralph and Vivian held MSU season tickets (from 1951) and attended both home and all away football games, until her health didn't allow her to do so. They caravanned with relatives and drove to the 1956 Rose Bowl to see MSU win against UCLA - a game that boasted the most integrated rosters of the day in college football.  Throughout the years, attendance at high school and college sporting events was also a constant and pleasurable activity, especially given the number of family members who were participants. In 1976, Ralph was the co-founder (along with a MSU tennis player) of the Lansing Topspins, a non-profit tennis organization focused on the development of the sport among African Americans, especially neighborhood youth.

Ralph accepted Christ at an early age. He attended Friendship Baptist Church and later became a member of Collins Memorial A.M.E. Church, which became Trinity A.M.E.  As a Trustee he assisted with plans for the building of Trinity at its current location. He was also a member of Trinity's Sons of Allen. He was appointed by the Mayor and became a member of the Lansing Traffic Board in 1964 and served faithfully for 28 years. Ralph was a Life Member and former Membership chair (Lansing Chapter) of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Ralph was one of Lansing's premier and first African-American insurance salesmen. He was a former Detroit Mutual and Allstate Insurance agent.  He later bought, owned and operated an independent insurance franchise called the America One Riddle Insurance Agency.

As a retiree, Ralph spent his spare time happily engaging with employees of Oldsmobile as a part-time security specialist at their Bldg. 70 Administration site. He was a "colourful" addition to the lobby - to say the least - and managed visitors well.  His personality on all fronts was as a gregarious, challenging, and outgoing individual that "never met a stranger."

Ralph always loved music and enjoyed listening to jazz, playing keyboards and his favorites - the saxophone and clarinet.  He especially appreciated listening to and playing music with his musically gifted daughter, Natalie.  He performed with the DeWitt Symphony Orchestra and a musical group called the "Aristocrats."  A favorite past-time for many years was his joy of boating and being "Captain" on many fronts.  He loved to "take people out on his boats" and teach as many people as he could to water ski.  Ralph was loved by many and will be truly missed as: Ralph Sr., Brother, Dad, Step-Dad, "Big Ralph", Grandpa, Uncle, Great Grandpa, Cousin and Friend.