Ralph W. Boynton, 80 of Spearfish, passed away at his home on September 10, 2026 with his wife, Marla at his side. Undoubtedly, his initial greetings to others in heaven were easily heard! Born September 5, 1946 in New Jersey to Whitman and Betty Boynton, Ralph was known for his good nature, exceptional legal mind and accompanying work ethic, genuine enjoyment of friends and colleagues and all things fun.
Education and Ralph's career were very important parts of his life. He attended high school at Choate Prep School in Wallingford, Conn. and majored in English and Philosophy at Monmouth University in New Jersey, then earned a law degree from the University of Wyoming. Ralph was particularly proud of the recent recognition of his 50 years of membership in the Wyoming State Bar. Ralph's heyday as a defense trial lawyer was in Casper, Wyo., flipping that coin and finishing his career as a prosecuting attorney in Gillette, Wyo. He was always game for a good chat with his colleagues, respecting them highly and cherishing that time spent. An additional highlight of his time in Gillette was meeting his wife, Marla and thoroughly enjoying their time together doing life.
Ralph's lifelong passion for sports (mainly following the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Giants) rubbed off on Marla, and for many years, they attended Dodgers spring training games, collecting an impressive number of foul balls each year. Ralph enjoyed reading, traveling, fishing the ponds of the Black Hills and catching halibut in Alaska.
Ralph would want to be remembered as a good man with a strong faith. He will be terribly missed by his wife, Marla; his in-laws, Marsha Kucker, Mark and Kathy Froke, Bob Froke and Doug and Coleen Froke; and his daughters, Shannon and Brittany. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers-in-law, Larry Kucker and Brad Froke. In recent years, Ralph greatly appreciated his special relationships with Jackson and Sutton, Carrie and Fritzi, Tami and Judy and Dustin and Michelle.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
If you so wish to donate to a charity in Ralph's name, he greatly respected the work of the St. Jude Research Hospital and any humane society.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel & Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at https://www.fiddler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/
