Ralph Okerlund, whose career in public service spanned more than three decades as a city councilman, mayor, county commissioner and state senator, died Wednesday at the age of 72.
“He dedicated his life to serving the state, tirelessly advocating for Utah’s rural communities and becoming a trusted friend to many,” said Utah Senate President Stuart Adams of Okerlund.
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund listens to debate in the Senate Chamber on HCR11, a bill that would urge the President to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument, during debate in the Senate Chamber in Salt Lake City, Friday February 3, 2017.
Senators J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, left, and Sen. Ralph Okerlund, R-Monroe speak with each other on the floor of the Utah Senate, Wednesday, March 6, 2013.. A senator who is trained as an emergency medical technician performed CPR until another senator who is an emergency room doctor arrived. He was hospitalized but missed the final two days of the session.“We loved Cindy and Ralph from the day we met him. He was a very kind and gracious individual,” said Sen.
“We often found similarities despite the differences between his rural and my urban district,” she said. “I deeply appreciate his commitment to protecting our state’s natural resources, especially water, which is a paramount issue surrounding our state.” He played baseball at Dixie College before transferring to The University of Utah where he studied political science with minors in English and philosophy. He earned a teaching certificate from Southern Utah State College and then taught English and history and coached sports teams at South Sevier High School.
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